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Wisdom and Appreciation Shared through Kwentuhan

27th November 2019 - Brgy 479, Sampaloc, Manila

I have been staying at the Sta. Catalina Ladies’ Dormitory located at Lacson Ave. Sampaloc, Manila for almost three years now but I never really got know the community in itself. Thanks to our NSTP course, I was able to open myself up to the beauty that my adoptive barangay has yet to offer and to be assured that I am safe when calamities and other risks come at bay.

In an interview with Mr. Fernando C. Tugay, the secretary of Brgy. 479, he introduces to us the efforts of the barangay in maintaining peace and safety of the people in the community. In our very informative yet casual encounter, I learned many things. From the safest places to the most dangerous ones; from safety precautions to the things that should be done when already in the face of danger.

During and after the interview with Mr. Fernando C. Tugay, Brgy. 479 Secretary

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The Resiliency of Brgy. 479 in Times of Adversity

Of course it is inevitable that natural calamities like typhoons - wherein Typhoon Ondoy was recognized as the most damaging typhoon that the community has experienced - and earthquakes may occur and induce consequences such as floods and infrastructure damages respectively may occur. Aside from these natural disasters, there are also the manmade ones such as household/neighborhood fires that could seldom occur. At times like these, Brgy. 479 had risen up each time and grew stronger - learning from the deficiencies of the past. Although lacking in equipment, the barangay officials see to it that they do the best that they can to at least mitigate the adverse effects of such calamities. During the interview, I got the chance to ask about the state and preparedness of the barangay - the infrastructure, the people, the officials, the responders, etc - in terms of disaster and risk reduction management. I was impressed at what I learned because although Brgy. 479 is just a small community, the officials are diligent in processing the papers and other documents that must be processed; they are also particular when it comes to the routine checking of equipment present and the places that are under their authority. Moreover, the officials are very cooperative with other offices in charge of checking and maintaining the buildings and infrastructure located within the vicinity of the said barangay. The only favor that the officials are asking is the cooperation, participation, and discipline of the community members in order to achieve the goal of making Brgy. 479 and the people who belong in it rise amidst any disaster that might come their way.

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So What Did I Learn from the Kwentuhan?

I was enlightened that the barangay is prepared with the basic equipment needed in disaster risk reduction management and that the community is generally a safe place if only the community0 members would cooperate with the authorities and practice discipline. The barangay is complete with an evacuation and BDRRM plans having the University of Santo Tomas main field as the main evacuation site and the Ramon Magsaysay High School as the former and plan B evacuation site.

Barangay Action Plan for Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management

The Main Evacuation SIte: University of Santo Tomas Main Field

The Plan B Evacuation Site: Ramon Magsaysay High School

However, although equipped, I cannot say that the barangay is well-prepared. During our “kwentuhan”, I discovered that the barangay only has the first aid basics, and a fire extinguisher that is only stored below the table which can be seen in the first picture. The emergency vehicle to be used when there are accidents or emergencies is a motorcycle.

The barangay does not even have a proper barangay hall to settle disputes in since the original barangay hall got demolished. At present, the barangay officials are staying in front of a house at Carola street where it is now what they call their “office” which most of the community-members are not even aware of (based on our inquiries with the residents in search for the barangay hall). As stated by Mr. Tugay, the chairman is holding office at his own home. Because of this, residents might not know where to seek help when it really is needed.

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The Best and the Worst of Brgy. 479 (part 1)

During the community walk, I was able to witness the best and the worst that my adoptive barangay had to offer. Some make me proud while other made me disappointed and even sad.

Early on during the walk, the dirty and clogged drainage along with the unsegregated trash already caught my eye.

As I turn to my right, I saw the notorious construction site that Mr. Tugay mentioned in our kwentuhan where several lives have been taken in the formation of such building

More so, I saw some broken tiles and glass bottles that are potential tools for hazardous acts such as when people get into fight or can just hurt members of the community at any time

Aside from these, I also saw something which might protect residents of that particular home from thieves but might put then in more danger in cases of fire. Sometimes, heavily barricaded homes such as the one in the photo below give no room for emergency exists that might prevent them from getting out of their home especially without any alternative escape routes.

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The Best and the Worst of Brgy. 479 (part 2)

As compared to the earlier mentioned heavily barricaded homes that hinder easy escape in cases of fire, there were still homes and establishments/buildings that ensure greater safety precautions as there are fire exits designated

In terms of garbage, I did see segregation bins in some parts of the community

However, I also saw the irony and lack of discipline of some members of the community wherein the segregation bins are locked and beside it is an empty lot that turned into a garbage dump

this garbage is extremely hazardous especially since the area is flood prone. It may cause clogging of drainages and be a source of different health concerns such as leptospirosis.

Moreover, I personally think that one of the most dangerous places in the community is beside the Dominican School along Piy Margal at night because it is prone to many crimes since it is an isolated area and there are no lights.

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The Best and the Worst of Brgy. 479 (part 3)

On the other hand, I did see positive things that melted my heart and gave me hope that the good in humanity still prevails.

While walking along the narrow streets of Carola after the interview with Mr. Tugay, I came across a “parol” that was made from recycled materials. Since the interview was done at night, I made sure to come back for that “parol” and take a picture of it. When I came back, I was lucky enough to encounter the creator of such masterpiece, Tatay Renato, while he was making another one.

Tatay Renato as He Shows Off One of His Pieces

Moreover, a few steps ahead of the “recreated parol”, I also came across plants that were planted not in pots but in broken buckets and water jugs

It is in these photos that the creativity and resourcefulness of the residents of Brgy. 479 radiates effortlessly.

Together with the previous photos, the following picture also shows the concern of residents for the environment as bottles were collected properly near the Ramon Magsaysay High School, Florentino and Dos Castillas corner

As I go along, I also saw megaphones in several areas that the barangay officials use for announcements and in alerting residents in cases of calamities

Lastly, it all boils down to how the residents respect and have faith in the Lord that hopefully it would guide all people to act in accordance to the His will

The religiosity of the community can be seen in the photo as the altar of Mother Mary is well taken care off with plants around it.

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Would I want to continue being part of the Brgy. 479 community?

Given the things that I’ve learned from the interview with Mr. Tugay to the things that I’ve witnessed during the community walk, I came to a conclusion that I still want to be part of this community and not at all worried. I did see some flaws but that did not overpower the goodness that I saw in the community. The flaws that I saw did not hinder me but instead, they inspired me to stay in order to be part of the change, if not initiate it, so that I could help this neighborhood be in its best version.