Disaster and Risk Reduction Management

Makati City
Barangay Bangkal

Leader:
Aaron Vincent V. Burgos

Members:
John Niklaus Borja

Mary Lin Dennise Dela Cruz

Lewis Abad

Kenneth Vien Bacit

Arjie Ballesteros

Juliane Rivera

Patricia Abenales

Tommy Natividad

Gobhenel Catarina

Eloiza Nicole Balao

 I. Introduction
Disasters have adversely affected humans since the dawn of our existence. It
have always been a result of human interaction with nature, technology
and other living entities. Sometimes unpredictable and sudden, sometimes slow
and lingering, various types of disasters continually affect the way in which we
live our daily lives. The UNISDR (2009) defines a disaster as: “A serious
disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread
human, material, or environmental losses and impacts which exceeds the ability of
the affected community to cope using only its own resources.” Human beings as
innovative creatures have sought new ways in which to
curb the devastating effects of disasters. However, for years human conduct
regarding disasters has been reactive in nature. Communities, sometimes aware of
the risks that they face, would wait in anticipation of a disastrous event and then
activate plans and procedures. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) aims to reduce the
damage caused by natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones,
through an ethic of prevention. In the same
light, the level of disaster risk prevalent in a community is linked to the
developmental choices exerted by that community (UNDP, 2004). With these
definitions and concept in mind we ventured to an interview research not just
because of the subject requirement but also our curiosity to know how ready our
community is in times of need.
 II. Statement of the Problem
This interview attempts to find answers on how are disasters and risks are
being handled and managed in our community, Makati City. More specifically
it seeks to find the answers to the following questions:

1. What are the measures and actions done in disaster management to

respond quickly in disasters?
2. How often does this disasters occur in the said community? How is it
being handled?
3. Are there any immediate solutions to the lessen the risks and hazards in
the community?
4. How efficient, alert and equipped are the disaster response team along
with the officials in that barangay?

III. Information
Barangay Bangkal is one of the seven (7) barangays comprising the
Westside Cluster or Cluster 2 in the first district of Makati. It has a land area of
0.8759 square kilometers which occupies 3.2% of the City’s total land area.

Bangkal has 23,378 residents which is 4.4% share with the City’s population
and a population density of 27 persons per 1,000 sq. Bangkal is well-known for its
thrift shops located in Hizon St. where second hand antique stores are situated.
 IV. Questionnaire and Answers
Questions:

1. How often do you conduct drills for the entire community and what are
those drills?
- He have said that every three months the team conducts a fire and
earthquake drill consecutively. They coordinate with the barangay
head himself along with the 5 schools ( 2 Public High Schools and 3
Elementary Schools ) in Bangkal, Makati.

2. How many people are in the rescue team of this barangay?

- The response team has a total of 15 official personnels and 2

volunteers.

3. How often man-made disasters (fire, etc) occur in this barangay?

- He said that there are maximum of 3 disasters that could devastate in

a year. But last year, as recorded in their documents and statistics, Barangay
Bangkal only have 2 because other fire alarms are alerts are either false or
not verified.

4. Since the last natural disaster (storm, earthquake, etc) how severe was the
damage?

-The barangay was considered a flood centered area, a cluster in

Makati that isn’t much affected by flood during heavy rains and typhoons.
Since 2012, damage was getting less severe every continuous year. We
 focused on one of the river banks with informal settlers to relocate them in
order for no rescue operation to be held there.

5. Is there any rescue equipment at the ready if any case disaster strikes?

- The team has an expertise in emergency medical services (EMS).

They are also complete in manpower, including emergency medical
technician (EMT), registered nurses, firefighters etc. having a wide variety
of field of trainings. Because as he have said and we quote “When you said
“rescue” it isn’t simply focused on one disaster alone. Therefore, we
gathered our men to be as one to focus on our main priorities which is fire,
rescue and established support.” He also proudly told us that there are
allotted budget for rehabilitation and gladly only 5% were used till now. The
other barangay officials and schools were also trained and undergone some
seminars so they could handle and be a support in times of need.

V. Reflection

Based on everyone's reflection, we could say that when it comes to disaster

readiness for the entire community takes more than just man power or equipment.
It also needs funding to keep the team facilitated with necessities and equipment to
use in any case of disaster. It needs training, and specialized education on specific
branches of disaster to attend all diverse needs. It also needs constant preparation
and vigilance, so when disaster strikes, everything and everyone will be ready. In
Barangay Bangkal, our group could see that it is ready to assist the community in
disaster, and their numbers of responsible people aren't just restricted within their
team. Teachers, Firemen, Policemen, volunteers, and even the citizens themselves
can assist in aiding others to safety. With constant reminders on what to do with
safety drills, public service announcements, and summer training seminars, even
the people are equipped on what to do in a disaster.

VI. Documentation
Disaster Preparedness Headquarters
Community Complex
 VII. Acknowledgement
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Christian Jacinto,
Disaster Management and Response Team Leader for giving us his time and
expertise on his interview.

We sincerely thank the staffs and personnels of Barangay Bangkal Community

Complex and DRR Headquarters for welcoming us warmly and letting us conduct
this research interview.

We would also like to thank our Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction subject
teacher Mrs. Sonia Timog, for giving us the opportunity to experience this task and
the opportunity to embark on our community and learn new things.