Barangay Level Capacity Assessment

Group Members:
1. Aquino, Renee Milenz D.
2. Castillo, Josh Moreece Tyrone V.
3. Chan, Carl David T
4. Martin, Matthew Daniel O.
5. Santos, Emmanuel Joseph M.
6. Trinidad, Kin Andrei B.

Barangay: Barangay Karuhatan

City: Valenzuela City
Region: National Capital Region (NCR)

I. Barangay Capacity Assessment

1. Which disaster does the barangay experience the most? How does the barangay
prepare itself for this disaster/hazard?

In Barangay Karuhatan, the most common disasters that occur are fire, flash floods, and
typhoons. To prepare for these hazards, the barangay implements different measures.
When it comes to fire accidents, the barangay provides aid to affected victims by
addressing their personal needs, including health and damages incurred.

Meanwhile, for typhoons, which are predictable, the barangay ensures that they have all
the necessary goods and equipment ready to be handed out to victims. This includes
updating or announcing citizens about the pre- and post-typhoon to ensure that they are
well informed and can prepare accordingly and to inform residents of the location of
hospitals and government facilities that will be used in case in need of evacuation from
floods and other possible disasters.

Overall, they collaborate with nearby barangays and municipalities for the distribution of
relief goods, disaster preparedness, implementation of the required building codes, and
infrastructure to reduce damages disasters like a flood can cause. The barangay takes a
proactive approach to disaster management, which helps mitigate the impact of
disasters and hazards that frequently occur in the area.

2. How does the barangay prepare the community members for hazards or
disasters they may face? What do they post on their social media page in relation
to preparing the community for possible hazards? What programs and
 advocacies do they push to prepare for disasters and hazards? (What are the
soft solutions that the barangay practices to prepare for disasters/hazards?)

To prepare the members of the community for disasters and hazards, the
barangay conducts various program drills and training such as emergency drills,
earthquake drills, fire drills, and evacuation drills. These drills are conducted
periodically, usually, every three months or twice a year, to ensure that the
community is well-prepared in case of any emergency.

In addition, the barangay maintains an updated evacuation center and regularly

posts updates on social media to keep the community informed about potential
hazards or disasters. They also conduct information dissemination through online
platforms like Facebook.

The soft solutions that the barangay practices to prepare for disasters and
hazards involve applying the knowledge and skills gained from these drills and
programs. For instance, in the event of a fire accident, the community can apply
what they have learned in the drills, such as using fire extinguishers and other
safety measures.

Another example of a soft solution that the barangay could practice is promoting
community awareness and participation in disaster preparedness. This can be
done by encouraging community members to attend disaster preparedness
workshops, volunteer for disaster response teams, or participate in community
clean-up drives to minimize the impact of disasters and hazards.

3. How is the barangay in terms of stocks ready for upcoming disasters/hazards?

This may include funds for disasters, relief goods in times of calamity, tools to be
used in times of hazard or disaster (boats, life vests, first aid kits, fire
extinguishers, sandbags, or any tool that may apply.) (What are the hard
solutions that the barangay practices to prepare for disasters/hazards?)

In terms of disaster readiness, the barangay is proactive in securing the

necessary resources and supplies to address potential hazards or disasters.
They have allocated a budget and funds to provide for their community's needs in
times of crisis. In addition to having a budget for disaster response, the barangay
also ensures that they have sufficient relief goods readily available for distribution
in times of calamity. This includes food supplies, water, medicines, and other
essential items that may be needed during an emergency.
 One example of a hard solution that the barangay practices to prepare for
disasters is their response to road blockages caused by fallen trees or other
obstructions. The barangay uses their equipment, such as chainsaws and heavy
machinery, to quickly remove the obstruction and restore traffic flow.

Additionally, the barangay has generators that can provide power to their
community in case of power outages during typhoons or other disasters. This
ensures that essential facilities such as hospitals, evacuation centers, and
communication networks can continue to function even when the electricity is cut
off.

Overall, the barangay takes a proactive approach in disaster management by

maintaining a sufficient supply of funds, relief goods, and equipment to ensure
that they can respond effectively and efficiently to any emergency that may arise.

4. How do you coordinate with other barangays, local government units, and
national agencies in responding to disasters/hazards?

In Barangay Karuhatan, they have established a system for coordination and

communication with other barangays. They conduct regular meetings where they
discuss potential disasters and hazards that may affect their communities, and
they come up with strategies on how to collaborate and support each other
during these situations.

For instance, in the event of a massive fire like the one that occurred in Barangay
Gen T. Deleon, Barangay Karuhatan immediately provided assistance by
deploying their own firefighters. This kind of cooperation and support is essential
in mitigating the impact of disasters and hazards.

To facilitate communication, Barangay Karuhatan has a system in place where

they can pass information to the other eight barangays. They utilize various
means of communication such as radios and other communication devices to
ensure that information is disseminated quickly and efficiently.

5. Have there been any challenges or obstacles in implementing your

disaster/hazard response plan, and how have you addressed them? What does
the barangay wish to improve on its current disaster/risk response? How does
the barangay rate themselves on their response to disasters/hazards?
 One of the challenges that the barangay faces in implementing their
disaster/hazard response plan is the lack of cooperation from some members of
the community and neighboring barangays. This hinders the smooth flow of
coordination and execution of the plan. However, the barangay addresses this by
continuously educating the community about the importance of cooperation and
by regularly conducting communication drills and meetings with the neighboring
barangays to enhance their collaboration.

In terms of improvement, the barangay aims to enhance their capacity building

programs for their responders and volunteers to ensure that they are well-
equipped and updated with the latest techniques and skills in responding to
disasters and hazards. They also plan to invest in more modern equipment and
tools that can help them respond better to different kinds of hazards.

The barangay acknowledges that there is still room for improvement in their
response to disasters and hazards, but they are continuously striving to enhance
their capacity and skills to better serve their community. They also regularly
evaluate their performance and seek feedback from relevant agencies to identify
areas where they need to improve.

II. Evidence of Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Committee (BDRRMC) Capacity:
Map of Valenzuela City, they use this to coordinate with other barangays. They
also use this to map out the vulnerability in blocks so they can further assess
future hazards.
Map of barangay Karuhatan, the primary map used for the entire barangay. Also
currently used as a substitute for their evacuation plan since they are still waiting
for the evacuation plan they submitted to the municipality of Valenzuela to be
verified and printed.
 Semi-annual drills, barangay Karuhatan claimed that they do fire, flood, and
earthquake drills once every three months. They do this to better prepare officials
and citizens in case a real disaster happens.
Caution signs, used to identify the officials and citizens that a potential hazard is
in place.

III. Discussion and Conclusion:

The group holds the view that the BDRRMC (Barangay Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council) of Barangay Karuhatan fulfills its
obligations and roles in enhancing the community's ability to cope with disasters
and hazards becuase regular capacity assessments hold immense value as it
enables barangays to recognize deficiencies as well as shortcomings in their
disaster preparedness plans with ease. This information will aid them in taking
corrective measures such as purchasing upgraded equipment or infrastructure,
arranging supplementary training for residents and emergency responders, or
formulating fresh policies and procedures swiftly.

Barangays should conduct regular capacity assessments or in barangay

Karuhatan’s case, information discemination, to enhance their ability to respond
 to disasters effectively. Identifying gaps in current disaster risk reduction plans is
critical in improving protection measures against future hazards that could affect
residents adversely.

Furthermore building collaborative relationships with other stakeholders

like neighboring barangay communities local governments plus non-
governmental organizations results from these evaluations which enable sharing
information & resources while coordinating activities towards common disaster
preparedness goals. In conclusion regular capacity assessments are essential in
building resilience for barangay communities and their ability to face
emergencies with more confidence and better preparedness.

Conclusion

Barangays play a crucial role in disaster risk reduction and management

as they are the first line of defense in responding to disasters and hazards. By
conducting regular capacity assessments and continuously improving their
disaster preparedness plans, they can better protect their residents and reduce
the impact of disasters and hazards.

Barangay Karuhatan is a great example of a proactive barangay in

disaster management as they have implemented both hard and soft solutions to
improve their disaster preparedness. Their efforts in conducting regular drills and
training, maintaining an updated evacuation center, and allocating funds and
resources have significantly enhanced their ability to respond to emergencies.

Continuous improvement in disaster preparedness plans and strategies is

crucial in mitigating the impact of disasters and hazards that frequently occur in
the area. By working collaboratively with other stakeholders and building
resilience, barangays can be better prepared to face any emergency that comes
their way.

References:
-Barangay Karuhatan (n.d.). Home Barangay Karuhatan. Facebook. Retrieved May 09,
2023.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069012734327
-Andrada, M. D., San Miguel, I. M., & Evangelista, E. V. (2020, December). Community-
Based Disaster Preparedness of Valenzuela City and Iriga City. IIMRJ - IOER
International Multidisciplinary Research Journal.
https://www.ioer-imrj.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Community-Based-
Disaster-Preparedness-of-Valenzuela-City-and-Iriga-City.pdf