EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR BARANGAY TOCLONG

INTRODUCTION

Typhoon

The Philippine Archipelago is positioned between Taiwan and Borneo, with the waters of the China Sea and Pacific Ocean washing its coastline. Because of its geographical location across the Pacific Typhoon Belt, cyclonic storms and floods have been the principal natural hazard in the Philippines—based on frequency of occurrence and scale of intensity. In the Philippines we have recognized two types of typhoons: bean (or rain) typhoons and wind typhoons. Rain typhoons make landfall during the months of April to August and generally cross northern Luzon and the Batan Islands. Disasters and adversities can happen anytime. During these trying times, the Province of Cavite, specifically the municipality of Kawit needs to address such emergencies specifically for Barangay Toclong in Kawit, Cavite.

Toclong is an urban coastal barangay with a population of 15,134. This represented 18.13% of the total population of Kawit. Barangay Toclong is situated at approximately 14.4467, 120.9193, in the island of Luzon. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 4.1 meters or 13.5 feet above sea level.

Earthquake

The island of Luzon, where Metropolitan Manila, Cavite Province and Laguna Province are located, is a mountainous and volcanic region. Earthquakes result from sudden shifting of the earth‟s crust below or at the surface, causing ground vibrations and shocks. In the Philippines two kinds of earthquakes are experienced: tectonic and volcanic. A tectonic earthquake is a sudden shift of the earth‟s crust along active faults. A volcanic earthquake happens near volcanoes when hot rocks or magma moves from deep within the earth. Strong shocks may cause structures to collapse and destruction of properties, life-lines, and disruption of livelihood, trauma and death.

According to PHIVOLCS’ data, there is a record of an earthquake that killed more than 600 people in Manila in the 17th century. There was also an earthquake killing more than 400 in the 19th century. Moreover, the earthquake that occurred and killed a few people in the 18th century was caused by the activity of the Taal volcano located in Cavite.


DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEM

Typhoon

Despite being a progressive barangay, there are identified locations vulnerable to storm surge and flash floods due to typhoons. Not to mention other problems like Inadequate flow capacity of various rivers and streams, inadequate capacities of the existing drainage facilities, clogging of the drainage channels due to solid wastes, illegal encroachment of the structures in the drainage channels and Informal settlers living in “houses on stilts.” These problems were identified because the municipality of Kawit, where Barangay Toclong is situated, is located along the 123 kilometers shoreline of Cavite.

Earthquake

Majority of the houses in Barangay Toclong are located in a subdivision. These subdivisions are situated in a hilly type of terrain wherein some residents fear that a major disaster might happen in case of an earthquake. Residents also fear that some areas for mining and quarrying are not properly delineated. Also, another problem that might occur is the presence of Earthquake-Induced Landslides. Occurrence of earthquake-induced landslides is determined largely by local conditions. Many factors, including geologic and hydrologic conditions, topography, climate, weathering and land use, influence the stability of slopes and the characteristics of landslides. Barangay Toclong in Kawit, Cavite is susceptible to this.

MITIGATION

Typhoon

The emergency plan for Barangay Toclong establishes rules and measures that may allow the municipality of Kawit to save lives, minimize injuries, protect property, and maintain activities essential to the survival and recovery of its residents. It establishes the guidelines for conducting efficient, effective, coordinated emergency operations involving the use of all resources belonging to the Province. The best possible mitigation plan for Barangay Toclong is to emphasize public education and awareness, hazard and vulnerability awareness of the residents of the impending hazards and be ready for evacuation should the need arise and the need to improve the infrastructures surrounding Barangay Toclong.

Earthquake

Policies and programs for Earthquake are already in place for Barangay Toclong such as but not limited to:

a. A well-coordinated program must be in place and the corresponding task force must always be ready to act accordingly.

b. The SK council and their members and representatives should have a solid emergency procedure, including: an effective response to an emergency.

c. Organizational mandate is in place for disaster resilience

d. Clear objectives to be achieved in the face of disasters and emergencies

e. In-depth relationships with local emergency management and services and associated processes

f. The staff and volunteer are prepared for disaster and emergency training

    To further break down the above-mentioned policies and programs, below is a more detailed approach:

g. Emergency procedures, including: an effective response to an emergency

h. Evacuation procedures in place

i. Notify the emergency service establishments at the earliest opportunity

j. Medical treatment and assistance are prepared

k. Effective communication between the person authorize to coordinate the emergency response and all people at the workplace

l. Testing of the emergency procedures is very important which includes the frequency of testing

m. Ready Information, training and instruction to relevant workers and members in relation to implementing the emergency procedures.

PREPAREDNESS

TYPHOON AND EARTHQUAKE

The SK Council’s Emergency Response Plan for Barangay Toclong should be incorporated into existing structures of the Barangay that is in charge to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies. The overall idea is not to duplicate responsibilities but rather have a specialized office. SK Council will be part of the following Task Force:

  1. Task force for communication and early warning protocol
  2. Task force for Evacuation and procedures
  3. Task Force Transportation
  4. Task force Security
  5. Task force for Medical, Health and Sanitation
  6. Task force for Relief Operations
  7. Task force Rescue

RESPONSE

  1. Task force for communication and early warning protocol
    2.

    a. Creation of Viber group amongst the youth of Barangay Toclong – the Viber group will come in handy for the youth in communicating and dissemination of information during emergencies and hazards.

    Typhoon

    b. The task force will be responsible to establish relationships with PAGASA and the CDRRMC for weather updates. The SK council will then communicate to the member youth as to the latest update of PAGASA via the viber group.

    Earthquake

    c. The Municipality of Kawit Cavite, partnered with Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and conduct training on Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS). REDAS is a software that can produce a simple and user- friendly simulation that can give a rapid estimate of the possible seismic hazards which can be used for inferring the severity of impact to various elements-at-risk.

    d. Organize a training to capacitate the barangay disaster managers in the use of the REDAS software, to provide quick and real-time simulated earthquake hazard information that will help them in assessing the impact of a strong earthquake for decision-making and science-based planning throughout the barangay.

  2. Task force for Evacuation and procedures
    3.

    a. The Task force will execute the procedure of evacuation. They will assist the affected and displaced families for evacuation and secure them for further damage.

    b. During calamities, Barangay Toclong gym will serve as the primary evacuation center for Barangay Toclong. It can absorb up to 500 individuals. The schools within the Barangay will also serve as a secondary evacuation center, if in case there are displaced families more than the capacity of the primary evacuation center, they will occupy the nearest school of their area.

  3. Task Force Transportation
    4.

    a. During emergency and or during information dissemination all vehicles of Barangay Toclong will serve to execute the function of the task unit upon approval of the Barangay Chairman.

    - The SK Council and its members will also participate by using the available electric vehicles provided by the barangay.

  4. Task force Security
    5.

    a. SK council will be in-charge of the peace keeping within the area of the barangay and secure the safety of the affected areas and the evacuation centers as well.

  5. Task force for Medical, Health and Sanitation
    6.

    a. SK through the intervention of the barangay will be in-charge of the health situation of the affected families and displaced persons, especially the youth. They will evaluate the availability of the medical supplies and report the status to the barangay captain for immediate resolution.

  6. Task force for Relief Operations
    7.

    a. SK council and its members will be in charge of the Relief and assistance during a hazard. They will help the barangay distribute relief assistance to the families. Submit report to the barangay captain regarding goods and supplies.

  7. Task force Rescue
    8.

    a. The rescue unit assisted by all possible means to all displaced communities within the barangay.

RECOVERY

Here are the recovery strategies and plans for barangay Toclong in case of Typhoon:

a. Storm Surge and Inadequate flow capacity of various rivers and streams
  • Implementation of storm surge mitigation intervention and access to typhoon forecasting information
  • Conduct of Capacity and Resiliency Need Assessment and Capacity Building Training
  • Clearing out operations

    • b. Inadequate capacities of the existing drainage facilities
  • Construction of canals/ canal linings

    • c. Clogging of the drainage channels due to solid wastes
  • Declogging/clearing of canals/waterways

    • d. Illegal encroachment of the structures in the drainage channels
  • Relocation of informal settlers along major river banks

    • e. Informal settlers living in “houses on stilts
  • Demolition of illegal structures along the shore lies of Manila Bay, Canacao Bay and Bacoor Bay

    • f. Restoring of Telecommunication infrastructure

    In case of Earthquake:

    Support in line with the emergency response plan for Typhoon, the plan for Barangay Toclong will still be the same but more focus is given to the subdivisions affected by the earthquake since they are from a hilly terrain. In case of earthquake induced landslides – Immediately evacuate the affected families to the designated schools as per the instruction of the Task force evacuation. Utilize the support available for the affected families.

    ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR COVID-19

    Barangay and SK officials should remind their constituents of the following considerations in relation to Covid 19

    a. Continue to use preventive actions like washing hands and wearing a face covering during clean up or when returning home.

    b. It may take longer than usual to restore power and water if they are out. Individuals should take steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning if using a generator.

    c. If injured or ill, contact a medical provider or inform the barangay for treatment referrals and recommendations. Keep wounds clean to prevent infection. Remember, accessing medical care may be more difficult than usual during the pandemic.

    d. Dealing with disasters can cause stress and strong emotions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is natural to feel anxiety, grief, and worry. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family and your community recover.

    e. People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms.

    f. When you check on neighbors and friends, be sure to follow social distancing recommendations (staying at least 6 feet, about two arms’ length, from others) and other CDC recommendations to protect yourself and others.

    g. If an individual needs to go to a disaster shelter, follow the barangay recommendations for staying safe and healthy in a public disaster shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    h. If an individual is sick and needs medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for further care instructions and shelter-in-place, if possible.

    i. If experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or through the barangay and let the operator know if you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a cloth face covering before help arrives.

    CONCLUSION

    The effects of hazards such as flooding, landslides and earthquakes, coupled with the changes in our climate has made the Province realize the importance of integrating it in its plans and programs for a sustainable development. Since 9 out of the 23 areas in the Province lie in its coastline areas, a combination of adaptive and mitigating measures should be in place. This includes relocation of coastal communities or retrofitting their settlements; flood control projects such as retarding basins; and rockwall projects. Following a comprehensive emergency response plan will definitely save a lot of time, effort and lives in the barangay.