Geographically, there is no doubt we
would experience such calamities that may cause obliteration in all kinds.
Obviously, we are surrounded by volcanoes, and we are in an archipelagic
zone. With that reality, there would be
a possibility that different calamities like typhoon, earthquake, tsunamis can
occur. 
Moreover,
that was the role of UST’s DRRM Seminar- Disaster
Risk Reduction Management- to make us aware how we could prepare ourselves
into action more particularly how to prevent and survive the incontrollable
nature. The seminar distinguished the three aforementioned words. Disaster refers to the natural
catastrophe, Risk is the possibility
of occurrence and lastly, Management refers to how we should handle disastrous
situations. However, there was some additional learning from the seminar owing
to the discussion about concepts – Vulnerability, Capacity and Hazards- that
are very essential to us and for our fellow Filipinos as well.
This
seminar is definitely an important matter especially today in the Philippines.
We all know we have suffered a lot through the devastation brought by different
typhoons, Ondoy in Luzon and Yolanda in Visayas. These typhoons wrought
nightmare on us as it destroyed lots of homes, agriculture and family as well,
from which there is a need to access and monitor the capacity and vulnerability
more particularly in the Manila which is always involved to prevent or minimize
further loss in case another super typhoon hits again.
In
baranggay Borol 1st of Balagtas, Bulacan, I have interviewed
Barangay councilor , honorable Jerome Pangan and the barangay secretary . they are both knowledgeable on the DRRM of the Barangay.
Furthermore, I gathered lots of information about how prepared Barangay
Officialls are for the next nature disturbance, they have stated that they
regularly engage themselves to proper waste management by cleaning the
surroundings daily, Borol Primero citizens are barely aware of the fact that
our barangay is strictly prone to floods, that's why officials decided where
should evacuees go and settle for safety, Borol 1st Elementary School near the
barangay hall is the chosen evacuation center. I even asked both if they
organize and propose seminars concerned with DRRM, they proudly answered that
" Yes! we conduct seminars about DRRM, we let all Borol primero citizens
prepared for such 'sakuna' again, we even invite speakers too"," we
are requiring all citizens of Borol 1st and most especially the officers of the
homeowners to participate." moving on, they said that there would be
enough money to allocate for the needs of the evacuees during a disaster but in
case of shortage, The Municipality is willing to help each barangay in trouble.
As
a student of the UST- NSTP, I will actively and willingly participate and
involve myself in the DRRM program by our Barangay in order for me to inspire
the youth to join me as Borol Primero should address the vulnerability,
gradually.I will be more disciplined in the management of our own garbage at
home and in the community. By so doing, I will be a part of the
service-oriented members of the community in support for the advocacy to
prepare the country and people against the hazards of disasters.
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