Preparedness

Cagayan de Oro City, just like any other cities, is considered to be vulnerable to
any sort of disasters and hazards. Given its geophysical characteristics, environmental
factors and population number it is vital to always be resilient to circumstances of
disasters. Preparedness should be considered as one of the most important
procedures in order to respond effectively to any disasters especially in states of
uncertainty. Last 2012, we experienced the typhoon Sendong which not just kills
thousands of people but as well destroys households, source of living and the
environment setup. Just like any other natural calamities, details of such remained
uncertain that’s why no actions were immedaitely taken and possible responses were
delayed. So now we know what needs to be improved in the city which is to have
preparedeness plans. Barangay Carmen is considered to be more prone to any
disasters, back then, many people who didn’t have efficient preliminary plans as well as
lack of resources have lost their loved ones. As a resident of Cagayan de Oro city, we
must reconsider determining if our barangays are prepared enough and what action
plans they have. There are varied preparedness plans in which barangays can conduct
and implement.

First, the barangay officials must ready all the equipments needed, this equipments
such as Floaters, Life Jackets, First Aid Kit, Megaphone, Walkie Talkie Radio,
Flashlights and trucks.

Second, it should be a must that a barangay should have venue for evacuation centers
and as well as give updates and communication procedures to its people in order to be
well-informed about what to do in case of any emergency. This should be very important
for areas always being affected by typhoons as well.
 Lastly, we need to conduct seminars and as well train response personnels in
every barangay. This seminars should tackle types of disasters that are most likely to
happen in the area and learn how to prepare for it. It should also dissiminate important
contact informations in case of emergency and as well as other warning signals in the
barangay. It is very important to educate not just the officials but most importantly the
residents so that they can have a plan in place.

LORENZ ANDREW B. PATRIANA

As a Student of CETE 40, I was so impressed on how this collaborative plans prevent or
mitigate this kinds of calamities. One of the basic things I learned in this resilience plan
is that if we follow this 4 kinds of plan which is the “Prevention and Mitigation,
Preparedness, Response, Rehabilitation and Recovery”, all of us will be prepared
enough in any kinds of calamities. I’m also amazed on how important this things can
help the community. In this case, as a student of civil engineering, I can develop my
craft and work in the future that will be beneficial in developing resilience plan. All of us
need to be prepared in any kind of calamities. All of us also know that in our daily lives,
there are situations we cannot fully prepare ahead of time that is why we have to be
ready and mindful of the things we can accomodate before risk and disasters will
happen. So as an Engineering student, we must stay vigilant and attentive with the
proper precautions we need to do in our daily lives in order to protect ourselves from
any unexpected accidents and avoid casualties. A well-prepared person is one example
of this event because as I have observed, many Filipinos don’t follow simple rules, this
kind of action is also one of the most important thing to be change as a person because
as we all know discipline is the most simple way of being a true human being.

RESPONSE

With all the preparations done, we cannot really tell the exact preparedness of
individuals for any kind of disasters and risks. Given with the nature of disaster, its
strength and duration, households are still vulnerable to any kind of casualties. The
immediate actions to be taken during and after any kind of disasters or emergencies are
very critical. Barangay Carmen with its huge number of population and risky household
areas, officials and response personnel should immediately do the action.

First, there should be time to time prompting for residents to evacuate the areas. If in
case, it is too risky to do immediate evacuation, public emergency services should be
provided by the barangay in order to have the right responders and equipments. There
should be temporary operations centre in proximity of the disaster site for quick
response. It is also advisable to have more than one in order to cater to a lot of
operations.

Second, when the event could be considered as too risky and already beyond the
capabilities of temporary response personnel and services, it is a must that barangay
officials as well as other concerns should require community involvement and
coordination. All organizations should remain on standby and advise the residents of
Barangay Carmen to always be alert of the potential event.
Third, barangay officials should assist in the relief operations. Especially those
families whose wellbeing and livelihood has been severly affected by the disaster.
Especially in barangat Carmen, most of the residents have economic and financial
problems.
Lastly, officials should also have an initial assessment of the area. Provided with the
effects of the disaster especially the areas in barangay Carmen that is vulnerable to
flood. Upon assessment, it is when the officials can assess if they still need higher scale
of response from bigger organizations, still need resources such as response
technologies to be used and the level of coordination needed.
RECOVERY

With the aftermath of the disaster, it will be greatly seen that residents cannot still go
back to their daily lives as it is. They still need assistance from the officials and the
government. The barangay officials should assist the affected community to regain its
proper level of funcitoning. It may be both for a short and long-term.

First, barangay officials should help coordinate in providing temporary housing for those
greatly affected. Knowing the type of houses in most areas of Barangay Carmen, we
can assume that it cannot withstand disasters like typhoon specifically.
Second, financial assistance and emergency food supplies should be given. After
experiencing such calamity, residents cannot go back to their works immediately and
some of them even lose their sources of income. The economic support may vary
depending on the different business sectors. But we know that the impact on local
economic activity in the area may cause difficulties in terms of food supply, social
dislocation and services.
Third, officials should aslo coordinate with organizations that can help with health and
well-being of residents. The barangay officials should contact any community support
agencies and give specific needs to individuals and with different concerns.
Lastly, the infrastructures in the area are also greatly damaged and should also be
taken seriously. These infrastructures might involve services damage or now made
inoperabale due to the disaster. Officials and other authorized personnel should check
on water services, bridges and roads, and buildings.