DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
ABOUT
Greetings! I am Keira Luisa Wyne S. Pabiloña. I am an Engineering 1-22 student from L-ENG-1. For this module, I interviewed a barangay official in my community regarding disaster risk reduction and management.
Barangay Potrero of Malabon City | Source: Keira Pabiloña
I interviewed Mr. Ruben D. Palomado of Barangay Potrero, Malabon City regarding the hazards and disasters that our barangay has faced as well as their degree of disaster preparedness.
Summarising the interview and data I gathered, our barangay has not been through devastating calamities. Hazards, there are a lot. One of the few are floods that are occur often but not alarming. The barangay has a good water drainage system and is generally clean so that the canals are not blocked by any kind of trash. Street cleaners clean early in the morning and garbage trucks systems are organised well. Fortunately, so far, there has been no frightening occurrences. News is disseminated to them by other local government units and they pass along the informations within the barangay officials and inform the residents if and when there is a need to evacuate. Raining and flooding often occurs during the rainy season but as stated earlier, it is not something to be alarmed by.
“Pinakamatindi ang pinsala siguro sa squatter’s area.” says Sir Ruben. One incident was back then when fire broke out and firetrucks had a hard time going in because the space was very tight/narrow. If ever a devastating calamity occurs, those that will have a hard time are probably those in the slums and the senior citizens. They will have a hard time evacuating because some do not want to leave their valuable and believe that they can survive without evacuating. Some would have a hard time moving around, especially people with disabilities. Evacuation areas and relief goods areas are the safest place to be when calamities arrive. There will be enough space there for families, relief goods, medical personnel in standby for emergencies, and things that are needed for survival.
The barangay officials conduct seminars and trainings from time to time regarding timely events. They also encourage the members of communities to take part in emergency drills to learn how to act when a calamity is on the way. The barangay is sufficiently ready with materials such as megaphones for mass communication. Ambulances and Firetrucks for medical and fire related emergencies. There are also life boats for in case flood occurs.
Reflection: I am glad and relieved to learn first hand how ready our barangay is for expected and unexpected calamities. I feel safe and I can tell that they know what it is that they are doing. I think it was just the timing of my walk but I did not see any other things that I should be concerned with. Our barangay is ready and is continuing to make sure that the members of the community are also ready. As Mr. Ruben accompanied me to the community walk, I also noticed his good relationship with the community members of the barangay, which shows that he has good leadership and socialisig skills. This will be a useful and helpful thing when it comes to disasters. It is nice to know that the barangay officials do their best to be good public servants.
Photos taken around the barangay: