Barangay Sta. Teresita is one of the barangays in District 1 of Quezon City Manila, headed by Hon. Lorenzo S. Reyes, the barangay captain. According to the PhilAtlas, Sta. Teresita has a population of 8377 determined by the 2015 Census which represents 0.29% of the total population of Quezon City.

The pictures above shows the vicinity map of Barangay Sta. Teresita

During the community walk, I identified the pictures below as possible hazardous place in the barangay that could negatively affect the people. While there is construction on-going along the road, there are no barricades around the area or sign of people working.

The Brgy. admnistrator Mr. Rodolfo E. Bernabe enlightened me of the various calamities that is commonly experienced here in the Philippines – earthquake, fire, typhoon and flood. Even though Philippines is prone to typhoon and the fact that Metro Manila is usually prone to being flooded after continues strong rain, the barangay’s geographical location is elevated that’s why it doesn’t experience serious flood.

The barangay also implemented projects like the newly improved drainage system along the streets of N. Roxas or previously known as Laon-Laan, Dapitan, and M. Cuenco. With the newly improved drainage system the water that is accumulated in the catch basin is gone after approximately 20 minutes.

Quezon City is one of the cities that is traversing 100km from the West Valley Fault (https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/93575-valley-fault-system-map-launch). Barangay Sta. Teresita is 10.9km away from the said fault. The interviewee said that DepEd gave directives to conduct a weekly evaluation seminar and monthly earthquake drill especially schools that are located within 100km from the West Valley Fault. The latest National simultaneous earthquake drill was conducted on November 14, 2019 at 9 o’clock in the morning. DILG (Dep’t of the Interior and Local Gov’t), DPOS (Dep’t of Public Order and Safety of Quezon City) and the Brgy. Operation Center issues memorandums, and the Barangay is tasked to reproduce and distribute it to all concerned establishments (well-populated) – Suki Market, Savemore, Dapitan Arcade and etc.

Mr. Rodolfo attended a disaster resiliency seminar and shared some of his insights he got from the seminar. We all know the Duck-Cover-Hold technique but some of us don’t know how to properly execute it. He said that when you’re under already a sturdy table or chair, you don’t have to cover your head any longer, instead hold its legs so it will not keep on swaying. If your in an open area, do the Duck-Cover-Hold technique but with your other hand, palm facing the ground and firmly press on the ground. This would prevent you from falling on the face.

The greatest calamity that hit the barangay was fire on February of 2017 – where around 24 families (86 individuals) were affected. They were all evacuated in the 2nd floor of the Barangay Hall (Multipurpose Hall).

There is what they call “calamity fund,” that is allotted for emergency situations. The victims stayed in the Brgy. Hall for less than 6 months and the annual calamity fund was quickly exhausted. Thankfully it was amidst election and those running for political position were there to help.

Before they say that the ‘wheel’ is the greatest invention of man kind but in today’s generation it is the ‘phone.’ All you need is in the palm of your hands, when you have a phone you have access to various information. The NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) sends text messages alerting the people on the signal no. of the typhoon. Apart from these, the barangay has speakers installed around which is used to announce important matters regarding the safety of the community; they also have two-way radio.

There is no place you can really call safe unless you have really prepared for such calamities. Those who no means or the poor are usually the ones that are greatly affected by calamities. The ISF (Informal Settler Families) living in the barangay along the streets of Isarog are usually the ones vulnerable to these. Their home are made of various materials that are not that good nor suitable for its foundation.

The victims can experience various trauma – such as but not limited to physical, emotional, economical and even spiritual. It may take a long time for them to be able to get their life back after the disaster. It’s not just their physical belongings that would be lost but in some instances they lose their loved ones. Then after all their misfortune they would start to question God.

The members of the community aren’t that financially literate, they spend their money as like they’re “one-day millionaire.” Mr. Bernabe shared his realization about the vendors of Christmas decors in the streets; every year they borrow a huge amount of money for their capital. And with this, they also earn a lot but they spend their money wisely. Instead of investing it for them to use it again for the next season, they spend it all on various material things. Thus, they borrow again for their capital.

The government or the barangay rather, can hold up seminars or workshops that teaches financial literacy and require the vendors or those with business to attend. The approach that they should take should be friendly and the terms they’ll use should be in layman’s term. The barangay can also help them in saving. For example the vendors would give a specific amount to a barangay collector and when they need it they can get it. One thing to keep it transparent is for them to have passbooks.

Another thing that’s hindering the development of the barangay is the ‘dole-out’ mentality of the people. As the Brgy. administrator said, the community members only attend or come to seminars and other barangay activities when they’ll get something out of it.

This is not only an issue in the barangay, but it is actually evident characteristic of a Filipino. When you invite them for something, they’ll first ask “what’s in it for them,” instead of answering it directly by ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ This is an issue that cannot be solved by the government, hence it should start within us. As youth, we should be the epitome of good character to the younger ones and even the older ones. In the hope that at some point they would see the beauty of it and follow in our example.

Dole-out mentality of Filipinos is clearly evident when there is need of evacuation or disasters hit the place. When a volunteer worker tells them to evacuate they wouldn’t follow the given instruction unless it’s already a matter of life and death situation.

In some instances, Filipinos are materialistic, they would stay in their houses to protect their belongings even if they were already told to evacuate. Until it is grave matter then they would follow, but if they don’t see the need of it they won’t budge. There are news alerts that tell the people of such cases. Prevention is always better than cure. The people should be prepared to evacuate when told, for it is for their own good.

The barangay has facilities that can be used for evacuation, with that they also have ambulances and fire trucks ready in case of emergency.

The police force is also 24-hour ready. The barangay’s safety men (barangay tanod) are grouped into two, 12 men for the day time and the onther 12 for the night time. They ensure the protection of the community members. They have a two-way radio for easy communication among them. The barangay also has various equipment ready for use in case of disasters.

Apart for the Multi-purpose Hall of the barangay, the covered court can also serve as an evacuation center.

The barangay has a BDRRM plan that clearly shows their preparedness. It is a detailed plan where in the barangay and volunteers are grouped into teams. They all have their specific task and those teams would work simultaneously.

It is seen in the evacuation team that the victims would be allocated in the 4 color codes. This is to ensure that there is a proper medication for those victims seriously injured up to those who are not.

As a Thomasian Youth, we are all called to serve and help the ones in need, not just in our specific communities but in the places we go. We, our generation as they say is the future. And how else can we see a bright future if we ourselves don’t start now. Start sharing what we know, start educating the people around us, and be an example.

Click on the link below for the full audio of the BDRRM kwentuhan.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FvjwB333niz0DGEBtqIC733L1hjdIo0B/view?usp=sharing