Hazard Identification
Marikina City is known to be one of the flooded cities in Metro Manila and our barangay is one of the affected areas during the typhoon. The reason why our city is prone to flooding is because of the Marikina River which is near the barangay. One of the most tragic experiences was during the Typhoon Ondoy wherein a lot of people suffered from losing their homes, losing their properties, and losing a loved one. Because of that, the barangays and other city officials are now ready for these kinds of flood-related disasters. In order for the residents to be disaster-ready, there is a city ordinance created the three-point alarm system which is located at the Marikina Bridge and a flood protocol by the city.
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Another disaster that is now being watched and prepared by our barangay is the Earthquakes. According to Kagawad, we have three fault lines located in Barangka namely, Dela Costa Homes, Chorillo and Ateneo Housing. One of the major concerns that the Barangay and the citizens are currently preparing for is The Big One which is said to be the biggest one yet.
Vulnerability, Elements, and People at Risk Assessment
A continuation of what I’ve stated in the previous part, our barangay is one of the most affected areas in our city since we’re near the Marikina River. One of the most affected areas in our barangay is the lower portion of UBB and the Riverbanks Mall, which is one of the damaged infrastructures during the Typhoon Ondoy last 2009. But there are some places that are not much affected because of the high roads and bridges of the Dela Costa Homes which I’m currently residing and Ateneo Housing near Ateneo De Manila.
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One of the major concerns is the damaged infrastructures and local businesses that will be flooded because of the Typhoon. This concerns the sales and even the livelihood of the people living near and currently working there for their families. But since there is another natural disaster being prepared for; earthquakes will surely damage not only the infrastructures but also the lives of the people near the fault lines or affected by the said disaster.
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According to Kagawad, the safest place to evacuate that was advised to be an open field is at Loyola Memorial Park located near the Barangay Hall.
Capacity and Disaster Management Assessment
As a preparation for these disasters, our Barangay organized some activities that will surely help the officials and the residents to be disaster-ready. For a possible earthquake, our barangay officials organized seminars for each part of the barangay for proper information dissemination, and they also conduct earthquake drills especially for the students of Barangka National High School which is near the fault line areas. Also, they’ve informed the residents to have their own GO Bags and other precautionary measures for the families to prepare.
For possible typhoons and flooding in some areas, it’s important for the local residents to be aware of the three-point alarm system to know their current situation and preparation they need to do for them to evacuate their homes. Also, there are also trucks and inflatable boats for those who are stuck during the flood. At the evacuation areas, they’ve set up some modular tents which were inspired by Japan’s Camp Management Concept, this is a good way for the families to have their own privacy.
