Based on the
interview I have conducted with the Brgy. Dona Aurora Captain Ma’am Zandy
Zacate together with undergoing a community walk by myself, I have been
equipped how our barangay manages to
provide the basic necessities an individual can have such as service and
security within the community. More importantly, I have observed how people
were assured of safety and cooperate very well with the barangay’s action plan
to prepare with possible disasters or any unforeseen events .Thus, Brgy. Dona
Aurora lives harmoniously knowing that people are prepared whenever calamities
may occur and are less-prone to accidents and injuries for great execution of
plans and programs.
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| Photo with Brgy. Captain Zandy Zacate |
Upon choosing a
temporary residence I’d stay within the city, it is firstly important to
evaluate whether there are possible imperilment within the area. Fortunately, Dona
Aurora is an urban community in Metro Manila that is least-flood prone and
least prone to flood hazards because of its high location. Ma’am Zandy informed
me that this is the reason why there are only few cases of accidents or
challenges the barangay have faced in history. From what I have been informed,
minor challenges such as cutting hazardous trees, fixing destroyed house roofs
that are destructed by strong winds and fixing destroyed wirings are only some
she had faced so far. This means that calamities or emergencies only happens
once in a while and are not resulting to extreme devastation because they act
on it with ease and alertness.
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| Tall buildings |
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| Tall buildings |
Also, I have observed that
the areas that are prone to accidents are those areas that are near tall
buildings such as the schools and apartments. According to Ma’am Zandy, if
earthquake hits our place, it will affect the small houses and small communities
near it and may destroy them immediately. She added that the effect may be
grave as it may cost life, destroy their homes and business places that
eventually affect their living.
She provides that, “Of
course they have to start again, and as a public servant we are here to assist
them re-build their lives if that happens. But as much as possible we are
conducting BDPP to decrease or prevent the possible danger.” The officials also
are being informed through their active communication with NDRRMC or National
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council if any calamity may happen. Thus
they have sources of information to call on to and integrate with providing
protection to the people.
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| Evacuation Plan |
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| Brgy. Disaster Preparedness Plan |
The strategy for prevention or atleast decrease the possible
destructions is to always be prepared. In fact, they strictly follow a Barangay
Disaster Preparedness Plan that equips them and the people on what they must do
during calamities and emergencies. Ma’am Zandy provides that first, they must
proceed to the Brgy. Hall before any emergency and announce to the people the
incoming storms or typhoons. They also wear proper attire such as rubber shoes and
comfortable outfit for operation. Third, they also ensure Spray machines for
mosquitoes together with complete First Aid to assist injuries. Fourth, they eagerly
prepare for evacuation centers and ensure that the emergency vehicle is
standing by. Additionally, the barangay makes
sure to declogg drainage or canals and also cuts tree branches which are
leaned, touched or near electrical wires with the assistance of Meralco &
Task Force Street Lights. The officials and frontlines also prepares
flashlights, ladders, and informs people the contact line of the barangay who
in return stays alert and ready for their condition.
Moreover, they prepare
for earthquake risks by conducting Earthquake drills aging from children to the
elderly. They also seek to inform people of the Brgy. Dona Aurora Evacuation
Plan where safe spaces can be relocated to. From the map, it shows that there
are three possible evacuation centers such as Aurora. A. Quezon City Elem.
School, Jacinto Basketball Covered Court and the Barangay hall. These are the
three possible safe spaces in the community that can gather people who may have
been devastated by typhoons or earthquakes. It is also their task to inform the
residents before the calamity to store flashlights, batteries and candles to be
used during long days of black outs and monitor or keep updated with weather
reports of PAG-ASA by means of communication. One must also stock up instant
foods, store clean water and ensure their personal belongings before the
calamity. Furthermore, they have created a Hazard and Safety map and as well as
a BDRRM Plan to sustain their responsibility of securing each lives. There are
also sectors of the Youth, Elderly and PWD (Barangay Dona Aurora Senior Citizen’s
Association) in which they are coordinating with especially in times of
emergency and other programs in which they need of an assistance.
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| Brgy. Gymnasium |
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| Jacinto Basketball Covered Court |
 
Aurora. A. Quezon City Elem. School |
|
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| Brgy. Ambulance |
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| Brgy. Ambulance |
Ma’am Zandy again added that
they also provide equipments, such as ambulance, first aid kits, rescue equipments
and medical equipments to be used by people. The BPSO which stands for Barangay
public safety officer and as well as the nearest Police station 11 are the
primary keyplayers where the barangay asks for assistance in maintaining
organization and peace and order in the community. These manpower stays alert
to be contacted once the officials needs aid.
Overall, the barangay is
working hand in hand to improve the welfare of the general people. In fact the barangay have been awarded with
various awards such as Zero Crime Rate and Disaster Preparedness for
administering the people well before and after a disaster. One of the best
practices that can be noted is how it integrates environmental ordinances
strictly in terms of segregation. In fact they are actually recognized through
a Plaque of Recognition for its strict implementation of solid waste management
from the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, because
people have been responsibly abiding by segregating residuals from non-biodegradable.
Lastly, I can say that the barangay is doing a great job in integrating such
action plans to people because with my 3 years of experience here, people are
living in order because people are fully aware, responsible and in solidarity
with such goals. I have learned that though there are threats of disaster, it
is not yet too late to coordinate as one community to save more people, and
prevent calamities from destroying us fully. Thus, I have learned to live in a
more communitarian environment and integrate myself to my barangay to learn
more of their concrete plans which I assure to follow and take in participation
to. Lastly, I gained knowledge and skills on how to respond to such calamities
and now I aim to help my neighbors to also be equipped with various survival-
processes that is essentially relevant today. Thus I would end this by saying
that , “We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with
knowledge so many lived wouldn’t have to be lost if there was enough disaster
preparedness.”
