PASKUJUAN IN TAGUM. Mayor Allan L. Rellon [right] of Tagum City and Director Priscilla N. Razon of DSWD lead the ribbon cutting ceremonies during the opening of DSWD PaskuJuan Festival and Bazaar at Tagum City Trade and Cultural Center on Sunday. Also in photo are [from left] DSWD Assistant Director Ma. Vilia L. Vigil, Tagum City Councilor Allan D. Zulueta, DSWD Planning Chief Estrella D. Brigole, DSWD Team Leader for Davao Del Norte Ellen Nahial, and Tagum City Social Welfare and Development Officer Nora H. Lupiba. (DSWD)

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE -People participation in preparing for disasters as well as rigorous implementation of local disaster plans are the best ways to combat future disasters. This was affirmed by local officials and residents alike who experienced the intense ferocity of Typhoon Pablo in December 2012.

The community should be involved in problem and project identification. The participatory community-based approach must be employed for them to appreciate their role in governance. They should be made aware of their responsibility and involvement in the plans. Transparency here is crucial too. The community down to the family must know what their government is doing, underscored Engr. Lolito P. Campos, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of New Bataan.

Beverly Jane B. Dela Peňa, New Bataan Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer pointed out the importance of preparedness. “We have to be ready with our early warning and communication facilities as well as our data. We should activate our housing council, revisit our zoning plan, enhance our systems like our records and database. We also need to strengthen the MDRRMC and BDRRMC.”

Appropriate handling and coordination with disaster responders like the international NGOs and other humanitarian communities must also be learned by the affected communities like theirs, she noted, adding that they were so overwhelmed by the droves of them entering their town and the nature of assistance they brought.

Virgie G. Madino, 23, of Sitio Plateau, Barangay Andap said, “We have to prepare food or canned goods because whenever we need to vacate our place, we are always ready. It’s not good judgment to mount your preparation during the actual occurrence of disaster.”

Building up

We need to be always prepared. We now conduct Disaster Preparedness and Management training in every barangay. Almost done now, UNDP is assisting us in formulating the CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan) on which our disaster plan will be anchored, shared New Bataan Mayor Lorenzo L. Balbin Jr.

More than 2400 families in New Bataan lost their homes and nearly 2000 perished while some went missing.

For Mayor Eutropio S. Jayectin of Montevista, for people to really assimilate the lessons and attain genuine change, “We need to demonstrate to them what to do and as leaders, we have to set a good example.  We should be prepared always and follow policies as well. For instance, we have been bracing our communities’ capacities in disaster response to really build resilience. If people will not participate, it’s useless. We cannot achieve anything.”

Compostela Valley Governor Arturo T. Uy pushed, “Disaster preparedness should be done as well as MGB zoning as to what areas should be ‘no build’ and should be vacated or those ‘high risk’ places. All must be trained to understand and heed public warning like that of PAGASA. Active and continuing collaboration between national and local governments is an edge too. But foremost, we need to improve and be more prepared since climate change is a reality.”

Protection of the environment should be prioritized too, he urged, adding that, they can work on improving more so they will be more prepared and more capable to confront future disaster experience.

“After Typhoon Pablo, we were exposed to many things like camp coordination and camp management. It was an eye-opener, prompting us that we should always be on our toes, prepared and doing our part also,” said Josephine M. Frasco, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer of Compostela Valley.

Through its myriad of programs and projects, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to involve and empower people in the community to help them overcome the onslaught of future disasters. (DSWD)

Olaycon, Monkayo, Compostela Valley – “After typhoon Pablo badly hit our area in December 4, 2012, our community realized that the success of rehabilitation initiatives do not just depend on the funds produced by government, but how quickly and efficiently a community responds to such crisis,” shared Janet B. Diel, Barangay Chair and Kalahi-CIDSS Volunteer of Barangay Olaycon.

Awarded as the barangay with the Most Improved Local Governance during the Kalahi-CIDSS 1^st Regional Bayani Ka Awards in 2014, Olaycon villagers have proven that no tragedy could break them if they commit to be united especially in times of crisis.

Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, is a community-driven development program of the Philippine Government aiming to empower people through sustainable development, enhanced participation in local governance, and management of poverty alleviation projects.

“It was already dawn when I heard the wind rustling through the trees. I immediately went outside and checked the situation of my constituents. When I went back home, I wondered why it was suddenly so bright and windy, I realized then that I didn’t have a roof anymore,” Diel narrated.

“I perfectly remember how our community rose after Pablo. Our leader, Janet, even when her home was hit by the typhoon badly, she was one of the first responders in repairing the damage caused by Pablo. She helped us without reservations, shared Pedro Bolonos, a volunteer in Kalahi-CIDSS.

The implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS in the village unleashed the massive volunteerism spirit of the residents in Barangay Olaycon.

Community in action

Despite the delay of implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS due to typhoon Pablo, the community remained enthusiastic and cooperative when the implementation resumed in 2013.

“As testament to their commitment, barangay assemblies boasted of 100% attendance and active participation in meetings,” said Joel B. Quiňo, former Area Coordinator of Kalahi-CIDSS in Monkayo.

According to residents, the level of awareness and social preparation imparted to them prior to ‘Pablo’, strengthened their commitment and trust. In fact, their accomplishments exceeded their expectations.

One of the most important and urgent projects carried out through Kalahi – CIDSS was the establishment of a potable water system. With an estimated cost of P 645,000.00, the project was expected to cover four puroks.

After careful implementation and imbued with the spirit of bayanihan, the projected number of puroks covered was doubled. Priorities were realigned, and those who had more resources didn’t hesitate to give way to those who were not faring well.

Purok leaders mobilized volunteers to haul the pipes and other materials to save on labor cost.

In the end, the project was able to serve the entire barangay.

Through the ingenuity of community members, challenges were defeated and Olaycon became an icon for learning on post-calamity area rehabilitation.

“The government needs to provide help that is sustainable. The community driven development (CDD) approach of Kalahi-CIDSS helped the victims rise after the typhoon.  With DSWD’s initiative, the people were able to rebuild their lives and celebrate their newfound resilience,” Governor Arturo T. Uy  said.

“Because of Kalahi-CIDSS, the spirit of massive volunteerism heightened in our barangay. With this, we were able to effectively overcome the aftermath of Typhoon Pablo in our community,” Diel added. (DSWD)