I.

Introduction

Prevention is better than cure. Indeed, this is a true-to-life experience especially

when there is a disaster. Calamities sometimes put everything at risk such as lives,
livelihood and property. People must, therefore, have an awareness and knowledge
regarding these subjects for them to know what to do when these disasters occur and
happens to their community.

The implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction Management gives the people an

insight about the things they must do before, during and after the disaster. The DRRM
helps to lower the impact of loss and damage that the disaster will cause.

On the municipality of Bayambang in the Province of Pangasinan, there is a

Barangay called Cadre Site which has an estimated 3,000 families and partial of 596
household with an area of 0.66 sq.km and 65.9706 hectares. Some part of barangay is
prone to the hazards of flood because of low areas. Meanwhile, they have the Barangay
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Structure (BDRRM), who were trained to
assist the residents in times of disasters. The barangay official themselves serves as the
committee in charge on this. Each official have a designated position and specific
functions.
Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Structure
(Cadre Site)

B/C Roberto Diolaso

BDRRMO COMMANDER

Kgwd. Diaz Sec. Lomibao Kgwd. De Vera Kgwd. Torres

LOGISTICS & STAFF SECURITY SEARCH & RESCUE
OPERATIONS

Kgwd. Mabanglo Kgwd. Bato Kgwd. Ong Kgwd. Dulay

PLANNING EMERGENCY & FIRE CONTROL FINANCE & ADMIN
MEDICAL SERVICE

Before the emerging disaster, the community prepares for it. There is a Clean-up
drive that is observe every third week of the month, the 4ps members, Barangay Health
Workers (BHW), Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) joins this ordinance. They clean
the drainage and removed trash that might block the water flows. Also, BDRRMO
attends workshops and trainings about Disaster Risk Management, then just
disseminate it to the residents. However, there is a calamity fund, which is the 5% of

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barangay’s fund. This is where the budget of the medicines, food supply or relief goods,
other gears that will be needed are being taken. During the disasters, the community
gives an early warning system if what is the extent of the disaster or if there is an
aftershock. A mobile car with a megaphone is circling around the community to tell the
people if there is a need to evacuate and if they will just stay at home. Lastly after the
disaster, the BDRRMO assist the affected residents by giving the relief goods they have
prepared. They will be checking the numbers of residents they still need to rescue.

So far, the available resources of barangay Cadre Site are protective gears such
as rubber boots (bota), rubber gowns (kapote), Barangay Car Mobile with megaphone
and bell for signals. There are two evacuation centers in the barangay, it is the Brgy.
Hall and Day Care center which can accommodate fifty (50) persons and the covered
court which can be occupied 100 persons. The barangay also has a Facebook page on
where the residents might check anytime for updates.

Furthermore, the Local Government Unit of Bayambang,Pangasinan has a

Department in charge of Disaster Risk Management which is called MDRRMO (Municipal
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office). They offer their service for the
preparedness, right response and prevention of huge damage of disasters someday.
Bayambang has 77 Barangays and it there are huge chance that if disaster hits the
place, there will be great loss of properties and lives. The hazards in the municipality of
Bayambang are floods, earthquakes and fires. Each hazard has a corresponding team or
group assigned. The MDRRMO-Bayambang has a program called IEC or Information
Education Campaigns where they educate the people on what to do when sooner or
later the disaster strikes the area.

The MDRRMO-Bayambang uses social media and technology devices where they
updates and spread the information regarding the disaster that will happen. There is
also a quarterly drill on schools and barangays for the disasters such as Evacuation drill
for floods, Earthquake drill where the DROP-HOLD-COVER is being taught. Fire Drills for
fire safety lectures where fire safety tips is being discussed. These kind of drills let the
people practice the right things to do when the disaster comes. Seminars and trainings
are also given to all the barangay councils. The knowledge they will learn here must be
applied and spread to the respective barangays. Another, there is a budget given for
the supply of relief goods that will be given to the barangay who needs and for the
equipment that will be needed. These are how MDRRMO-Bayambang prepares before
the disaster. While during and after the disaster, they just coordinate with the barangay

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officials and go there personally to rescue the people in need, stranded and evacuate
them to the near evacuation areas.

The municipality has a complete available resources and transportation facilities

such as rescue boats, mobile vehicles and ambulances gives accommodation to all who
will ask for it, especially the local people of Bayambang. All in all there are eleven (11)
evacuation centers in Bayambang and it 500 people can fit in. There is also a
Bayambang emergency hotlines to call in case of emergency; #4357 and +6332977.

II. Conclusion

In conclusion, Disaster Risk Reduction Management guides the people on how

they address the situations that will happen. Having the knowledge is quite enough to
apply it effectively. Although, barangay Cadre Site officials and residence has
background on it, they still lack on the resources in order to perform, raise awareness
and strengthen the community. Words are better when it is being done.

All in all, the community of Bayambang, Pangasinan is prepared when disaster

strikes the community.

III. Recommendations

There are some recommendations that might add benefits to others. First, in
raising awareness on BDRRM, it is recommended to have the information campaigns for
the residents of the said barangay. The officials must explain their knowledge
elaborately regarding DRRM. They can conduct an orientation with workshop, with the
people, and suggest a Family Disaster plan inside the house such as having a first-aid
and survival kit.

Next, the barangay and municipal must provide a disaster related signage or
directional signs for the safe places people can go to.

Although there is a social media, connection is not stable therefore the Facebook
pages and websites are not convenient all the time. They can give manuals like posters
and flyers to deliver information.

Lastly, planting trees can be a huge help because it can replace the trees
destructed by the disasters.

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 REFERENCES:

Name: Kgwd. Luz Bato Name: Annika Ferrer

Position: Committee on Education Position: MDRRM Training Associate
EMERGENCY & MEDICAL
SERVICE Officer Name: Rogelio Castaneda
Position: Emergency Medical Service Head

Other documentations (Courtesy of BDRRM & MDRRMO’s Facebook Page):

Brgy. Cadre Site’s Barangay Hall for evacuation and

mobile car for rescue operations.

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 Some evacuation centers in Bayambang, Pangasinan.

DRRMO on packing relief goods and responding to calamities

using the rescue boat .

MDRRMO conducting seminar, drills and there are stand by ambulances.

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