nationality during calamities

http://www.mediafire.com/file/pfyu3fi4jima7fv/NSTP_AUDIO.mp3/file

Hi! I’m Megu and I would like to share with you the knowledge that I’ve gained from an activity that was tasked to us by our NSTP instructor, Ms. Joie Buena. Our fourth chapter in NSTP deals with Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Due to this, we were asked to be enlightened about the situation of our Barangay when it comes to its preparedness in times of calamities.

NOTE: Check the blog recommendations on the side to see the blog of Alex!

NOTE: These photos were taken online.

For the second question, we asked about other threats that intensely affected the citizens of the community. The Barangay official said that in his experience, there are no intense threats that occurred in the community yet. He said that the calamities that have occurred are only normal since there are still food and shelters present to aid the community. The third question talks about how the Barangay official gets notified about upcoming calamities. He said that due to modernization, technology has evolved and became the key to telecommunication. With the help of the gadgets that we have like phones, computers, and tablets-- organizations like PAGASA, Meralco, and etc., could forward news so that people would be aware about possible disasters in their area. Back then, when technology wasn’t advanced yet, they used to tell people about super typhoons; the big one; and other hazards which could bring disasters in their area so that they would be aware about it. In line with this, the fourth question talks about the frequency of these calamities in our area. The official said that it isn’t frequent in our Barangay unlike in other places such as Mindanao, where disasters are now frequent.

The next set of questions is entitled as vulnerability, elements, and people at risk assessment. This mainly talks about the weakness of the Barangay when it comes to its preparedness during times of calamities. The first question deals with the most vulnerable place in the Barangay and why is it considered the most vulnerable? The official said that there are places that are still made of wood in contrast to most of the buildings which are done in concrete. There are three establishments that are still made of wood which are most vulnerable in cases of fire, typhoons, and etcetera. In addition, the second question is related to the aforementioned question since it talks about who will be gravely affected if a calamity would strike our barangay. He said that the people who live in the establishments made of wood would be affected since they woudn’t be able to live there anymore and wouldn’t have the capacity to work for their family anymore. The third question discusses the effects of these tragedies to people, their livelihood, and buildings that are within the scope of the Barangay. The official said that they would panic about how they continue their life. They would be affected about where they would get the money that they need for their families and their selves.

The fourth question informed us about the safest place to go to if there is an upcoming disaster. The official said that the house of the chairman is accessible to the citizens if they want to vacate in that area. The buildings surrounding the area are also accessible since they have connections with the Barangay and are willing to help in times of need. In contrast to this, the next question talks about the most dangerous place in the Barangay. As mentioned in the previous questions, the places that are most dangerous are the three establishments that are still made of wood. The rest are fine since they are made of concrete. With this said, I was curious if they have done something in order to prevent these establishments from experiencing disasters. The official said that they have advised the buildings about the safety of their establishment and he said that there are volunteers that are ready to help them in times of need. Lastly, I asked about the obstacles that hinder the community from coping from the effects of a disaster. The official said that nothing hinders them from coping since everyone in the community helps one another to rise during their downfall.

The next set of questions discusses the disaster management of the Barangay in times of calamities. In other terms, this is to assess the preparedness of our Barangay if there are disasters to come. The first question deals with the actions that the community does in order to prepare and prevent huge casualties during upcoming disasters. The official said that they have public address, or they inform people how to cope or what to do during times of disaster in order for the citizens to be prepared at these times. The next question talks about the plans of the Barangay during catastrophic events. The official said that they have prepared evacuation centers and have told the community about where to evacuate or accessible vicinities that could accommodate them during times of need. Examples of this is the University of Santo Tomas, who has a connection with the barangay since they have talked about it as a possible evacuation area due to its open area that is easily accessible to most of the citizens in the community. The next question asks about the programs, systems, and facilities that are of help to people who need to cope from a disaster. The official said that all of the materials that they have that are of help are readily available. They have materials that are needed during emergencies in order to prevent more casualties. The last question deals with the people who are in charge of managing the effects of a disaster. He said the barangay officials are the ones who implement and inform people about the proper things to do during times of calamities.

This estabishment is one of the establishments which the official mentioned. It actually experienced fire due to the fact that it is made of wood. If the community is to experience wildfire near this place again, it would be a disaster to those who are near this area.

This photo was taken inside the UST area near the covered court. This is one of the identified safe places by the barangay official since the barangay official said that they have asked permission from the University if it is accessible as an evacuation area because of its enormous open field.

NOTE: These photos were given to us by the barangay official who is in charge of the Disaster Management in our community. We asked him to take photos with us; however, it wasn’t possible since he had to go home and there was no time for us to conduct the picture taking again.

After conducting this activity, I realized the weight that our officials are carrying in their shoulders in order to ensure that everyone in the community are safe in times of disasters. With this said, I have come to appreciate the officials in our community even if they aren’t known by most of the citizens in my community. At the same time, I was hit by the reality that disasters are no joke and are to be taken seriously. There are cases wherein I still go out with my family even if there are warnings about heavy rains and other natural calamities. Because of this activity, I have learned to appreciate and give importance to my life more since I do not want to burden the people who have done their best to secure our lives just by being ignorant to the warnings of people who have more knowledge regarding the occurrence of calamities. I have also realized that I should always remember and take into heart every earthquake, fire, and other emergency drills that my previous school informed us since this is really beneficial in times of need. Moreover, I have decided to be of help to people who are in need of service during these times since disasters are really unavoidable and unstoppable. My parents always ask us to help through forms of charity which I love but this time, I would donate and help with my whole heart knowing that families are gravely affected, and simple donations wouldn’t ease their problems especially those who have lost their home. With this said, prayers are the only key to be able to help them to cope with the trauma that a disaster has brought. In conclusion, I would like to thank my instructor for giving us the opportunity to witness and experience this activity which enabled us to be more aware about the effects of calamities in our nation.