Community Dialogue On Disaster Preparedness and Management In Brgy. Tiolas, San Joaquin, Iloilo

The Philippine government recognized the economic, social, physical and human losses brought by disasters in the country. To note, there is an increasing trends in disaster losses in the country averaging the direct damage annually at Php15 billion (at 2000 prices). Impact to GDP, for example, was at 1.2 percent due to the 1990 Luzon earthquake; 0.9 percent due to the Pinatubo eruption; and 0.5 percent average due to typhoons every year. Moreover, the calamity fund appropriations could not meet the cost of damages brought by these disasters.

With the growing recognition of the effects of disaster on development, the national government called on to mainstream disaster risk reduction in subnational development and physical planning. This way, appropriate intervention designed to mitigate disasters will be planned, funded and implemented.

In Western Visayas, an inter-agency driven activity kicked off in Brgy. Tiolas, San Joaquin, Iloilo on September 26, 2007 during a community dialogue on disaster preparedness and management. The activity was spearheaded by NEDA VI, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Disaster Coordinating Council of the Iloilo Province and coordinated with the Municipality of San Joaquin, Iloilo.

Over 500 residents of San Joaquin, headed by Mayor Ninfa Garin and local officials attended the dialogue. They were made aware on hazard-prone areas in their locality especially on barangays that are considered high risks. The Municipality of San Joaquin is vulnerable to these hazards – tsunami, high intensity earthquake, landslide and erosion.

As cautioned by Atty. Raul Anlocotan of NEDA VI, disaster could happen anywhere and anytime but being prepared could save lives and properties. For his part, Engr. Rolly Calomarde, Chief Geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau accorded his agency’s aim of identifying areas susceptible or vulnerable to various geologic hazards and provide vital information to stakeholders in order to lessen or mitigate the negative impact of these geologic processes.

For San Joaquin, out of 85 barangays, 74 were assessed for landslide susceptibility. Of these, 19 coastal barangays are prone to coastal erosion, storm surge and tsunami while 21 barangays with high susceptibility for landslide. Earthquake is another hazard because of the West Panay Fault in Iloilo Province from the municipality of Lambunao and traverses areas in Janiuay, Maasin, Alimodian, Tubungan, Igbaras, Miagao and finally San Joaquin. Engr. Ramil Atando of PHILVOCS cautioned the people that the movement of this fault would result to high intensity earthquake in these municipalities.

Living along hazard areas requires one to take extra precaution.

1. Observe presence and monitor progress of mass movement e.g. landslides,
tension cracks;

2. Observe for rapid increase/decrease in creek/river water levels, possibly
accompanied by increased turbidity (soil content);

3. Observe for saturated ground or seeps in areas that are not typically wet;

4. Observe for sunken or displaced road surfaces;

5. Develop an early warning device/system

6. Identify evacuation sites;

7. Constant communication and updates with BDCC and MDCC on geohazard situation.

It is with hope that more dialogues should be provided to keep people informed and for the local government unit to consider disaster preparedness and management in their plans and programs.


Source:
"Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Subnational Development and Physical Planning in the Philippies," 2nd Project Board Meeting, NEDA Board Room, 6/F NEDA sa Pasig, Otober 18, 2007