BDRRM KWENTUHAN

I am one of the students of University of Santo Tomas, and as I take the subject of NSTP–LTS I got the chance to understand and conduct interviews on different sectors in our society. I came from the Municipality of Obando province of Bulacan. As one of the municipality who are prone to hazards conducting interviews like the BDRRM KWENTUHAN is a really big help for the whole community. I have talked with the Head of the Barangay, KAP. Rolando D.C. Miranda about the hazards that they encounter and how they managed it. As the Municipality of Obando is surrounded by rivers, flood is the number one hazard that they encounter. Encountering south west monsoon that cause heavy rainfall that affect in the opening of the nearby dams gives a big contribution to the flood that the barangay Pag-asa and the whole Obando suffered with. One thing that also contribute in the flood is the problem of the barangay Pag-asa on garbage. As the Barangay conducted weekly clean-up to maintain the cleanliness of the place. Especially that most of these garbages not came from the community but from the different places, like Bacoor, Natovas, Malabon and more. One of the prone areas in the barangay are the Purok 5,6,7 and 8 and the Barangay of Binuangan and Salambao for the whole Municipality of Obando. For this places are beside and near in the rivers that make them vulnerable for disasters. The Barangay of Pag-asa have prepared for this disasters and make a concrete plan and actions to help the community. With the help and cooperation of the Barangay with the BDRRMC ( Bulacan Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center), through giving letter and alert they can easily notify everyone and spread the news. The whole Sanggunian of the Barangay Pag-asa with the help of tanod's prepared the evacuation area for the people. The most safe places in the barangay Pag-asa is the Barangay Hall, Bisita(small church) and the Obando Memorial , which is more elevated that needed if there is a flood. They also ready the life vests, ropes, first aid kits, medicines, relief goods, clean water and clean clothes. The Barangay are also prepared for any fire related hazards with having foldable pump to easily response for the community. With all of the disasters we cannot avoid to affect the livelihood of the community. That is why the Barangay Pag-asa have projects as well to help the families in the community to start again. Partnered with the DOLE to provide work and income for the community, they help those families through the TUPAD—Cash for work. This is for the low lying sectors of the community, letting them helping in cleaning the streets in exchange of money. They can also participate and work for the other projects the community has just like being referee and more. This will help to at least help them to start a new after the disaster that they go through. Having Management in Disaster Risk in every barangay is a must, because it will surely save the whole community. It will raise awareness for every families in the community and give them enough knowledge and ideas on what to do in times of calamities. This will lessen the risk of losing lives and making the whole community in tact whatever hazards may come. Because being prepared and alert at all time is the key for survival of the whole community.