Barangay Bahay Toro
is located in Project 8, Quezon City, NCR.
I have been staying in this barangay
for more than 10 years, so I could say that I am quite familiar with the area. For
instance, during heavy rainfall or typhoons, I am already quite aware of the
places within our barangay which are prone to flooding. However, despite my
long period of residence in Bahay Toro, I admit that I do not know of its Disaster Risk Management
Plan.
Last December 17, 2019 we were fortunate enough to conduct an interview with one of the barangay officials in Bahay Toro. With their busy schedules due to the Yuletide season, they were still able to allot time for NSTP students like me.
Before the Disaster
Before a disaster,
the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council (BOCC) shall conduct the following: first
and foremost, they will launch information campaign regarding the dangers that
the disaster might bring. This may include flyers, memos, social media posts,
or meetings of service leaders along with volunteers from concerned government
agencies. After this, they shall conduct clean-up drives in order to clear waterways
of garbage to ensure the continuous flow of water during a potential flood. This
would be done with the effort of local residents, and coordination with the
City Engineering (if de-clogging is necessary).
The Barangay also conducts
training courses as well as seminars for the service leaders and rescue workers
pertaining to basic life support, first aid, firefighting, sanitation, disease
prevention, and control with the supervision of Red Cross, Fire Department and
DOH.
Brgy. Bahay Toro Fire
Station located just a few steps away from the Barangay Hall itself.
The barangay officials shall procure
stocks of first aid kits, medical gadgets, medicine, etc. The barangay will
also check the conditions of the motor vehicles, two-way radios and public address
systems.
According to them, the flood-prone
areas are the following:
- Sitio Militar
Sitio Militar flood
in 2013. (Photo source: GMA News TV)
- San Jose, Mahabang Layon
- Road 23
- Sitio Bathala, Sitio Gaya-Gaya
While the fire-prone areas are:
- Sinagtala
- Dame de Noche
- Cattleya Mindanao Avenue
- San Beda Libis
- Wisdom St.
- Finance Ext.
During the Disaster
The barangay will clear
roads to ensure mobility, and so that the warning signals are received by the
barangay residents. This is in order to easily locate injured, trapped and/or stranded
persons during the disaster. Once the officials are able to perform first aid (if
necessary), the rescued persons are going to be brought to the designated evacuation
centers.
Barangay officials are also
tasked to maintain sanitation and proper hygiene in evacuation centers, ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water, firefighting equipment, and the
systematic distribution of relief goods.
After the Disaster
Once the disaster is over, the
barangay officials will communicate with the City Mayor, and the Municipal Disaster
Coordinating Council Chairman to assess the nature and extent of the damage
done. They will also endorse to proper government agencies the victims who may
need special medical attention and hospitalization.
Brgy. Bahay Toro vicinity
map.
The Barangay said that they will
also ensure the cleanliness and sanitation of the evacuation centers, conduct inventory,
and replenish supplies when necessary. Moreover, they will also clear roads and
waterways of fallen trees and/ or garbage, check the condition of motor
vehicles and conduct repair if necessary. Afterwards, they shall conduct a
review of the Barangay Disaster Preparedness Plan for possible revisions and
improvements.
After hearing all of this, I felt
as if our barangay is truly prepared when it comes to disaster management. As
long as the allocation of the budget for the barangay’s Disaster Risk
Management Plan is sufficient, there would be minimal to no problems when it
comes to executing the plan.
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