YOU AINâT GONNA WORRY
C-ARC-4 Barangay 171
Starting up, I am Alnea Benedicto, an architecture student from University of Santo Tomas living in Bagumbong Dulo, North Caloocan. We have an activity regarding the current state of our Barangay as I got time to talk to our Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Council (BDRRMC) head.
Hereâs a map view of our Barangay:Â
On November 30, 2019, I got time to talk to Mr. Rexelle Ampig, BDRRMC head of Barangay 171 and part chief of Bagumbong Fire and Rescue. As I talk to him, it feels like he was just a friend making âkwentuhanâ with me. It seems like he is very hard working to serve our barangay.
PRIORITY?
Of course, Bagumbong is the priority.
Barangay 171âs BDRRMC cannot stand without the help of these: Barangay personnel, Tanod, BFAD, PNP, Search and Rescue Department, and Reserve Army of the Philippines.
For communications: Federal and Tec Spire
There have been trimming of trees and clean up drive of the creeks around the place. Street sweepers are there to help out who cleans up near the church weekly.
Bagumbong has experienced calamities: floods and fires, but not that much compare to other places.
FLOODS
As the barangay gain people, a lot of subdivisions are built, but few places are easily flooded. After heavy rains, the flood easily goes down. Thereâs no serious problem regarding it.
FIRES
Also, Bagumbong is not prone to fires. There have been two reported fires in the area. 3 or 4 years ago in our place called âmanggahanâ which is a very crowded area. It was caused by a little kid who lit up a candle. An electric wire was near it then it sparked, leading to electrical fire.
The other one is beside the Flying V gas station, a commercial residential was on fire caused by a gas leak. The LPG (liquified petroleum gas) brought fire. The part of it was unplugged accidentally, making it lit up the light materials and those who are selling clothes near the rented area.
TRIVIA:
Bagumbong Fire and Rescue is a fire volunteer which means they can serve any places even outside the North Caloocan area.
Barangay 171 is UPDATED!
Social Media is the main source of information, including the radio used in the communication. Bagumbong is affiliated with the Federal and Tec spire. The two are affiliated with the National (PAGASA, MMDA, PHIVOLCS, and 911).
For example: Â Thereâs an earthquake in Mindanao. Bagumbong already know it before it was broadcasted to news and other medium. First is PHIVOLCS. Next, FEDERAL and TEC SPIRE. Lastly, the fire chief offices will voice it out to everyone.
There are âcallersâ and âwalk-inâ reporting to the barangay. Barangay 171 has its own group chat.
Kuya Rexelle is one chat away! You can chat him if you have a concern or problem in your place.
Here is Rexelle Ampigâs facebook account:
Si Bagumbong Bravo Bdrrmc ay nasa Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Bagumbong Bravo Bdrrmc and others you may know. Ibinibigay ng Face
 SAFEST places in Bagumbong:
The evacuation area is divided into four: Â Evergreen, tierra nova, complex, saranay
Northcrest up to Bagumbong Dulo is not prone to earthquake because the area is flat and there are no high-rise buildings.
DANGEROUS place in Bagumbong:
There is a portion wherein there is a creek which is the last part of Bagumbong (boundary of Caloocan and Bulacan). According to kuya Rexelle, on their last trim, the tree was almost falling and its roots are almost uprooted. It is monitored because if ever thereâs an earthquake that may occur, the houses near it might collapse because the place is not totally developed.
 PRACTICES: Earthquake Drill and Fire Drill
Our Barangay proudly maintains a simultaneous earthquake drill.
Through kuya Rexelleâs efforts and advices, Bagumbong high school and St. Anthony in Northville have provided the students with orange hard hat to be worn as a protection whenever thereâs an earthquake. But still, the teachers and principals still donât have hard hats. Â
Problems âš
To be honest, the barangay has NO ENOUGH MATERIALS for rescue.
Kuya Rexelle is really a savior because as a head of BDRRMC, he applied âreserviceâ as a remedy for the problem. The reserve army based in Bagumbong were hired and assigned as members of BDRRMC search and rescue department. He knows that they are one call away because they immediately respond if they are needed.
Rexelle Ampig said: âKasi kung hihintayin pa natin si barangay medyo mahihirapan kasi kulang sa gamit⌠tulungan lang kami.â Â
WATER INTERRUPTION HAS BEEN ALSO CUSTODY TO BDRRMC.
Why?
Bagumbong is always part of the water interruption. Thereâs no water supply starting from 7 pm to 5 am every day. The barangay 171 can get water from its neighboring city like Quezon city. Water is a need for for firetrucks, so they will not immediately supply water to other places if the barangay is currently having a shortage in water.
Our country is prone to a lot of disasters like earthquake, floods, and fires. These caused calamities. Not all places are safe enough. Like our barangay, it seems like our local government needs to provide sufficient materials for rescue. Our barangay lacks it and needs the attention the government. Schools, workplaces, and houses should be ready for the unexpected calamities.
As an architecture student, I feel so sad to see that our BDRRMC office is not in good condition. I am hoping that I can help them sooner for a better place to work. The government does not give much attention to BDRRMC. Our schools, houses, and workplaces needs to be prepared and must have gears for the unexpected disasters.
Safety is what people need. The country is dependent to these people, so I am hoping that through the advocacies and volunteers, the superheroes who save us will get what they deserve. Without them, nothing will be in remedy. We need to help them. Through communication in social media, we can give them the help that they need.
BDRRMC HAS A HUGE CONTRIBUTION IN OUR COUNTRY! Donât belittle them. They are our savior. Please be considerate to them and volunteer if you can.
THEY NEED OUR ATTENTION. LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD FUND THEM ENOUGH, SO WE WILL BE SAFE AND SOUND.







