alisandraleighpvizcarra00

[alisandraleighpvizcarra00]

BDRRM KWENTUHAN

Hazard Identification

Cainta in general is prone to flooding because it is a low-lying area and it is near the Marikina fault valley. It serves as a catch basin of the water coming from Antipolo and Marikina considering that Antipolo city is a little elevated because it is hilly. Other than that, Cainta has many rivers and creeks that overflow easily because the waterways in the creeks are becoming clogged due to the numerous wastes that are disposed there. Nonetheless, the barangay is taking necessary measures to address the problem such as implementing programs that would help better the waste management strategies of the barangay specifically the use of Material Recovery Facilities (MRF). The MRF personnels facilitate the making of different products in which recycled materials were utilised. These products include the eco-brick which is for me very useful since it involves filling a plastic bottle with a bunch of other wastes and may be used as an alternative for a building block. Other than the MRF, the barangay has also been conducting regular clean-ups in different canals or waterways to improve the flow of water and they are closing these waterways to prevent people from throwing their trash there. Lastly, the barangay is also equipped with military trucks, command centres and fiber boats in which they will use in times of calamities to rescue and help people. 

Vulnerability, Elements and People at risk Assessment

As I have mentioned before, the geographical location of Cainta makes them vulnerable to flooding which is why the residents of Barangay Sto. Domingo already anticipate easy flooding when typhoons occur. Because of this, the barangay have already mapped out the areas that are more vulnerable to disasters the most vulnerable and at risk according to Kagawad Vila is the country homes because it is near the creeks of Cainta. However, despite being able to save the people of barangay Sto. Domingo, the barangay can only do little for the people whose source of income is agriculture as Kagawad Vila stated, “People cannot go to work”. Also, the properties of the residents get highly damaged or dilapidated when calamities happen so it is really devastating for them. The traces or marks left by the flooding is also a challenge for the barangay since it is really hard to clean. In spite of this, the barangay is still confident that when calamities strike, they are prepared and they are equipped.

Capacity and Disaster Management Assessment

Barangay Sto. Domingo have exceeded my expectations with regard to the amount of preparedness they have for disaster management. They have already purchased military trucks and fiber boats that would help them move faster across Cainta in times of flooding and through their PA system they can reach not just the areas in barangay Sto. Domingo but the entire Cainta. They have also installed CCTVs in the posts within the vicinity in order for them to be able to monitor the things that are happening in the different areas. Their command systems are also activated and ready for use. I mentioned also in the previous post that they have already devised a course of action in case of disasters which include their route in patrolling areas, the allocation of the stored food and beverage supplies if ever there will be a shortage of it in the barangay. Lastly, they have started to rehabilitate the drainage systems in the barangay headed by Capt. Janice G. Tacsagon to improve the flow of water and to lessen the severeness of the flooding. 

Kagawad Reynaldo P. Vila 

Kagawad Reynaldo P. Vila is the head of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management sector of Barangay Sto. Domingo Cainta, Rizal. 

[alisandraleighpvizcarra00]

COMMUNITY WALK

Hazardous Places

Open canals filled with toxic wastes and garbage that are near the homes of the residents of Barangay Sto. Domingo. These canals can be home to insects that are harmful for our health or may cause illnesses such as dengue, salmonellosis, amoebic dysentery etc. This should not be taken for granted since it involves the health and wellness of the residents.

SAFE PLACE

Barangay Sto. Domingo conducts regular fumigation within the vicinity. Areas that have been fumigated are considered safe places because the fumigation eradicates the pests or mosquitoes in the area which can cause illnesses. 

BEST PRACTICES

Free vaccination of cats and dogs “Laban sa Rabis” so cute ng animals :>> 

Cleaning and closing of waterways/drainages to remove the disruptions in the flow of water. Why? Because canals are being used as a waste disposal bin by people most of the time so closing the canals would mean that people can no longer dispose their trash there which could disrupt the flow of water.

The photos used in this segment came from the Facebook page of Barangay Sto. Domingo Cainta Rizal :))

[alisandraleighpvizcarra00]

Reflection, Synthesis and Analysis

The Situation of Barangay Sto. Domingo Cainta, Rizal in the Context of Hazards and disasters

Barangay Sto. Domingo according to Kagawad Vila have been constantly preparing for any disaster or hazard that might come their way as he have shown me their Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction plan (DIDRR). Moreover, the barangay is highly heedful of the possible hazards and disasters that may occur in the vicinity as well as the specific locations within the barangay that are more prone or vulnerable to these disasters or hazards. In fact, the disaster prone areas in the vicinity as shown in the map have been highlighted so that in times of calamities or disasters or hazards they will know where they would focus or start with. In addition to this, they also have been conducting seminars and drills about possible disasters and hazards in order for the members of the community to be aware of the things they should do or prepare in case these catastrophes happen. I am actually impressed with the amount of preparedness and effort of the barangay for risk reduction and management because they do everything for the members of their community from raising awareness to the practical application and everything, they are really hands-on, they are equipped also with rescue boats, trucks, first-aid equipments and food and medicine supplies. 

Issues confronting the community, its causes and the recommended solutions 

As cliché as it may seem but the primary issue confronting the barangay is also in relation to the issue of drug abuse and drug trafficking. There is no certain or single reason as to why people use drugs, we cannot really be sure why there is a proliferation of drugs in the barangay as well as in the Philippine context but there are factors that may lead people to the usage and abuse of drugs namely poverty, experimentation and curiosity, peer pressure, environment, stress and easy access to it. These are the common excuses of people according to Kagawad Vila who have been arrested for drug use or drug trafficking but he stated that they will not stop unless the issue of drug abuse in the community is eradicated. In line with this, they have been conducting drug related operations consistently with of course following the right protocols and recognising the right to due process of the person involved. They have also been arranging seminars to provide the members of their community sufficient and preventive education with regard to drug abuse and also to raise awareness regarding the possible effects it may impose once a person becomes addicted to it. As for my recommended solutions, I am actually satisfied with how the barangay handles the issue because at the end of the day the the issue of drugs have already exacerbated which makes it an issue that we cannot really overcome overnight and drug addiction is not as simple and limited to a crime but also it is a mental illness and no matter how severe the condition of a person exposed to it is, he still deserves to be treated or rehabilitated so the best thing we could do is preventive education for the youth and other members of the community so that at least we can educate and obviate the exposure of the future generations with regard to this matter. 

Relation of the discussion in the Philippine Context

I was informed that one of the problems encountered by the community of barangay Sto. Domingo was flooding because Cainta in general have become a catch basin of the waters coming from Marikina and Antipolo Rizal. The Philippines as a matter of fact is a country that is prone to flooding so this is no longer surprising. This problem had been aggravated by the poor waste management strategies, implementation and application here in the Philippines. Nonetheless, I do recognise the efforts put forth by the government in trying to address the problem such as the waste segregation strategies and the use and promotion of recycled materials in order to reduce the solid wastes of our country. One of the materials I find very helpful for waste reduction and  management is the eco-bricks in which I will discuss in the latter part of this blog. Going back to the issue of flooding in the Philippine context, I think it is caused not only by our geographical location but also because of industrialisation wherein trees are cut or put down for production and these productions become wastes that clog the waterways in our country which cause flooding. Everything in nature is coherent, everything in nature creates a domino-effect. 

Realisations and Insights after the Kwentuhan and Community Walk

After the kwentuhan and community walk, I realised that managing one local unit is already burdensome in a way that you are responsible for the welfare and prosperity of a fragment of the Philippine community what more in the context of our national government wherein every member of the Philippine community is your responsibility? But as my Lola used to say, if you love your country you will do all that it takes to make it better. A person who loves his country will aim for the common good rather than his individual gain. Kagawad Vila also told me that sustainable developments and the eradication of problems in the community is possible if you have the willingness and determination to do it and if you are eyeing for progress and betterment for the people and for the country. 

Why do we need to address the issue of disasters in the country and how?

We do not have the ability to control nature and the catastrophes that it may bring, so the least we can do is to devise strategies that would strengthen the preventability of massive destruction. It is not only our well-being that is at stake but also the preservation of our motherland as well as the lives of the future generations so the need to address the issue of disasters should be prioritised. Moreover, it is also highly important to raise awareness with regard to the disasters that may occur in our country through disaster risk reduction and management education it will not only help people survive in times of calamities but also they can help save lives. The more people are aware and prepared, the better the chance of survival. 

What can I do as a member of the community?

As a member of the Philippine community, I would take every opportunity that would in a way help raise awareness or encourage other people to be more involved. Because citizen participation and involvement are two key components that would cater to the progression of our society. As much as I can I will try to participate and immerse myself in various activities that can help my country one step at a time, little by little.