By: Judy Mae Magdato

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-6 held a Community Training Workshop on the Establishment of Necessary Operational Readiness Systems and Structures last Nov. 14, 2018 at Smallville 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

“Wala tayong choice but to prepare for calamities and disasters. Now we are going down to the community level. I hope with all your learning in this training, sana ma apply nyo po sa inyong barangay so we can showcase your practices and share to other barangays as well,” Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda, DILG-6 regional director, said during the opening program of the workshop.

Nuyda spoke before the local functionaries, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (MDRRMOs), barangay officials, SK Representatives, and barangay tanods of selected barangays coming from the municipalities of Malinao, Aklan; Barbaza, Antique; Cuartero, Capiz and Sibunag, Guimaras, and San Dionisio, Iloilo. The most hazard-prone barangays were chosen to participate in the training.

The activity was the third component of a special project spearheaded by DILG-6 and funded by the Local Government Academy (LGA) geared towards a Disaster Resilient Community: Building the Operational Readiness of Riparian and Inland Communities in Western Visayas which kicked off last May.

DILG-6 DRRM Focal Person Giselle Grace Gerial said that the activity was conducted to strengthen local government units (LGUs) operational readiness especially the barangays in facing disasters and climate change related hazards of LGUs belonging to the 4th-5th income class.

The 4th-5th class income LGUs were given priority for this project based on the results of a region-wide survey administered by the Office of the Civil Defense and DILG in 2013 which showed that 4th to 5th class municipalities are highly vulnerable to the different hazards affecting the region.

A pool of trainers were invited to discuss “Bantay Panahon”, Early Warning System; Evacuation Routes; Camp Coordination and Camp Management; Roles of the Barangays in  Search, Rescue and Retrieval; Communication Flow and Organizational Structure; and the salient features of RA 10121 or the DRRM Act of 2010. The pool of trainers is composed of  Ryan Bantillo from DOST; Paula P. Arlante, Capiz PDRRMO; Engr. Alex Crespo, MDRRMO-San Jose, Antique; Josie Cambel from DSWD; Mafe R. Lamasan, Guimaras PDRRMO; and Michael Tolentino, MDRRMO Staff -San Jose, Antique.

Upon completion of the training, the LGUs are expected to come up with a system that would fit with the existing resources and capacities of the barangays.

The succeeding two components of this project, composed of simulation and drills to all affected residents of the barangays and showcase of best practices, will be held in 2019.