15 Absolutes of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Part 3

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">No 3. Remember Your Priorities (1. Self, 2. Team, 3. Victim) </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines gets an average of 20 Tropical Storms and Typhoons annually. This makes the country one of the most disaster prone countries in the word. These weather phenomena not only subjects the country to the destructive winds of these tropical cyclones, torrential rains have also been experienced causing floods and landslides. The population of the country largely reside near coastlines and waterways and part of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is having trained responders with regards to rescue and response during floods.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">One of the results of a geography that is composed of mountains and valleys and flood plains is that flooding brings with it raging waters coming down from the mountains. Thus, swiftwater rescue training is needed.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These video is part of 15 training videos for swiftwater rescue.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sj-sVYmFBAc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sj-sVYmFBAc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID=%207171506066390301528&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID=%207171506066390301528&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Civilian Crisis Management Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Rescue Training 15 Absolutes of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Part 3

No 3. Remember Your Priorities (1. Self, 2. Team, 3. Victim)  The Philippines gets an average of 20 Tropical Storms and Typhoons annually. This makes the country one of the most disaster prone countries in the word. These weather phenomena not only …

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15 Absolutes of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Part 2

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">No. 2 Always be Proactive</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines gets an average of 20 Tropical Storms and Typhoons annually. This makes the country one of the most disaster prone countries in the word. These weather phenomena not only subjects the country to the destructive winds of these tropical cyclones, torrential rains have also been experienced causing floods and landslides. The population of the country largely reside near coastlines and waterways and part of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is having trained responders with regards to rescue and response during floods.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">One of the results of a geography that is composed of mountains and valleys and flood plains is that flooding brings with it raging waters coming down from the mountains. Thus, swiftwater rescue training is needed.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These video is part of 15 training videos for swiftwater rescue.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rq4aOZ8ivu8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rq4aOZ8ivu8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 6024503747643512175&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 6024503747643512175&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Civilian Crisis Management Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Rescue Training 15 Absolutes of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Part 2

No. 2 Always be Proactive The Philippines gets an average of 20 Tropical Storms and Typhoons annually. This makes the country one of the most disaster prone countries in the word. These weather phenomena not only subjects the country to the destruct…

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15 Absolutes of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Part 1

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">No. 1. Keep it Simple</span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines gets an average of 20 Tropical Storms and Typhoons annually. This makes the country one of the most disaster prone countries in the word. These weather phenomena not only subjects the country to the destructive winds of these tropical cyclones, torrential rains have also been experienced causing floods and landslides. The population of the country largely reside near coastlines and waterways and part of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is having trained responders with regards to rescue and response during floods.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">One of the results of a geography that is composed of mountains and valleys and flood plains is that flooding brings with it raging waters coming down from the mountains. Thus, swiftwater rescue training is needed.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These video will be part of 15 training videos for swiftwater rescue.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aflnYbN8D0E/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aflnYbN8D0E?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID=%208118443049758275635&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID=%208118443049758275635&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></span></div>

Civilian Crisis Management Climate Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Rescue Training 15 Absolutes of Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Part 1

No. 1. Keep it Simple The Philippines gets an average of 20 Tropical Storms and Typhoons annually. This makes the country one of the most disaster prone countries in the word. These weather phenomena not only subjects the country to the destructive …

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The Difference during disasters: The Go Bag

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ8clLudJT0oExpEl2u0_ABimIJBEv-svQWgxSyL6bxQRAhX4aWZlV_gKLpPoKnM3OPCE-btKJmj6sBS9YaJ5x3ftXCR3gYG2ug1yiDgUMt8CuV3DE6_N0HaWWhR0pZ4a_iUuwLhLOII/s1600/Emergency+Go+Bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ8clLudJT0oExpEl2u0_ABimIJBEv-svQWgxSyL6bxQRAhX4aWZlV_gKLpPoKnM3OPCE-btKJmj6sBS9YaJ5x3ftXCR3gYG2ug1yiDgUMt8CuV3DE6_N0HaWWhR0pZ4a_iUuwLhLOII/s640/Emergency+Go+Bags.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Philippines is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. Being at the Typhoon Belt it averages 20 storms and typhoons annually. Thus, floods and landslides are to be expected because of its geography and the populations are classically located along the coastlines, waterways, valleys and near mountainous areas. It is not because the people just wanted to live there, it is because their livelihood is dependent on such areas. The country is an archipelago which makes it vulnerable to storm surges and tsunamis. The Philippines is also located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically and volcanically active part of the world.  </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As such, multiple hazards resulting from natural and man-made disasters are commonplace in the country. Disaster mitigation and response used to be the only things that can be done. But owing to an increasing population, these disasters  have been multiplied in effect and destructiveness. A new shift to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) have now been implemented and includes a new approach that includes risk reduction and preparedness.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">One of the drives in this new approach is that information is cascaded down to the communities and grassroots. In the family setting, each member is told what to do in case of disasters and emergencies. During preparedness and information drives, each community and family are given doables in their preparedness. These are:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Preparing a Go Bag</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Identifying hazard areas</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Identifying safe areas</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Family rally points</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Community rally points</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Basic Life Support</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Scenarios are presented and one of the most important is that during a calamituous event, outside help must not be expected for 5 – 7 days. These information and trainings will enable the population to maintain a minimum level of community and civilization.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">For each family, a Go Bag is a necessity. The contents of the Go Bag are the following:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>First Aid Kit. These must include fever, diarrhea, disinfectants, bandages, cotton etc. (Family members with maintenance medicine requirements must also be factored in)</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, lighters and a whistle for each member of the family</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Radio and batteries</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cellphones and power banks</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Drinking water enough for 5 – 7 days (each member must be assigned a different load)</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Biscuits enough for 5 – 7 days (This is for the extreme scenario that no available water for cooking rice, noodles etc. This is also for the scenario that no cooking appliances and utensils will be available.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>3 clean blankets, clothes, pants, jackets, underwear and female sanitary supplies. (Blankets can be used as makeshift tents)</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Necessities for infants, senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ropes, old newspapers (keep them dry wrapped tightly in plastic), also, waterproof containers for documents.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Extra cash, self defense weapons</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">11. Toiletries, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, tissue paper</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">12. Cutting tools, knives, can opener</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These will enable each family to bring enough supplies and join up with other members of the community to create a viable evacuation camp until help arrives.    </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 3870290626204318051&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 3870290626204318051&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Barangay Management Civilian Crisis Management Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Emergency Rescue Training Technology The Difference during disasters: The Go Bag

The Philippines is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. Being at the Typhoon Belt it averages 20 storms and typhoons annually. Thus, floods and landslides are to be expected because of its geography and the populations are classica…

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“Yolanda” kept ‘Lawin’ toll low

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WN9Wt7qbvY_dw1K1aUZ7qgnizZvGk7Ycj_Hqodmlq-mGxwIP91KHVkGio4W_y8x6oD5Fcdlgj1Yf9tFrXmTnijAmJ3a1Y_81hPQBTWZbrf-JU0uYiZMbgRRNKV4Ysvw6Tj7ARzoOFd8/s1600/tuguegaraosausage-620x414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WN9Wt7qbvY_dw1K1aUZ7qgnizZvGk7Ycj_Hqodmlq-mGxwIP91KHVkGio4W_y8x6oD5Fcdlgj1Yf9tFrXmTnijAmJ3a1Y_81hPQBTWZbrf-JU0uYiZMbgRRNKV4Ysvw6Tj7ARzoOFd8/s640/tuguegaraosausage-620x414.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; text-align: left;">TOPSY TURVY A sausage stall lies upside down after Supertyphoon “Lawin” tore through Tuguegarao City with winds exceeding 200 kph. —RICHARD REYES</span><span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">DINGRAS, ILOCOS NORTE—This town’s residents on Thursday survived the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Lawin” (international name: Haima), and that’s because they listened and learned from the stories of Tacloban City and Leyte province when these communities were flattened by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) in 2013.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Most people in Ilocos Norte province heeded warnings, evacuating when told, because images of Yolanda’s wrath are still etched in their minds, said Dingras Mayor Erdio Valenzuela.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Most residents in north Luzon have no experience with typhoons of Yolanda’s magnitude and acted to protect their families.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“This was Yolanda minus the storm surge. [Lawin] was something new to all of us [in Cagayan Valley], something we can learn from,” said Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Lawin’s 225 kph wind toppled electric posts, uprooted trees and destroyed houses, many already empty after local governments instituted forced evacuations.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Preparedness</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Before Lawin entered north Luzon, students were no longer in schools after local officials suspended classes as early as Oct. 18 even though it was sunny that day.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Farmers were also advised to harvest their crops early.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In Ilocos Norte, local governments helped haul and dry freshly harvested palay and vegetables using combined harvesters and modern drying facilities, particularly in the towns of Bacarra and Piddig.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“We are lucky. This time everybody came prepared,” said Valenzuela, even though there were holdouts in low-lying areas who had to be convinced that moving to barangay halls and schools serving as evacuation centers was the right decision.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The mayor said all that authorities had to do was cite the tragedy that befell Eastern Visayas when Yolanda struck. In Tacloban alone, more than 2,000 people died when Yolanda hit.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">While fear may have frayed nerves, it also helped many people survive Lawin in Isabela province.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Jun Macapallag, 40, of Delfin Albano town, said he and his wife stayed in the toilet for eight hours, after howling winds tore off the roof of their house in Barangay Ragan Sur.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He said it was the scariest typhoon he had experienced. His children stayed with his parents in the neighboring house, which also lost its roof.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“I never feared rains, thunderclaps and storms until I encountered Lawin,” said Candy Soberano, a wife and mother of two in Laoag City.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Surrender to God</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Typhoon Signal No. 5 was no joke. Hearing the howling winds made me tear up. I was imagining Yolanda. I saw how it damaged Samar. I would never forget the dates Oct. 19 and 20, when my faith was tested and I surrendered my family’s fate to God,” she said.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Young Ilocanos volunteered to stay and send advisories and typhoon updates online and through social media networking sites to keep people informed, before power lines and communication signals shut down.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nothing beats human tenacity to survive. In Baguio City, rescue workers were surprised to find a family huddled in a building that once housed a bank, with their blankets and mats in tow, as well as the family dog. —REPORTS FROM LEILANIE ADRIANO, MELVIN GASCON AND VILLAMOR VISAYA</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Source: <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/829883/yolanda-kept-lawin-toll-low#ixzz4NwypXaeU">http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/829883/yolanda-kept-lawin-toll-low#ixzz4NwypXaeU </a></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 1383115013442725256&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 1383115013442725256&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Civilian Crisis Management Climate Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Weather “Yolanda” kept ‘Lawin’ toll low

TOPSY TURVY A sausage stall lies upside down after Supertyphoon “Lawin” tore through Tuguegarao City with winds exceeding 200 kph. —RICHARD REYES DINGRAS, ILOCOS NORTE—This town’s residents on Thursday survived the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Lawin” …

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Typhoon Karen: The New Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhef7hPPX4qC0DJmBHjuAgEu27Sy-_Kh1i_4wQ2MIi1WsfjHbFUBq81OcDCdhd4KQtfHaON9J2wOScBkkNnLyVGIOuN1YbiVkrhtfMNk98vIDSuPriZL_4uAx08Zo1H8xKdiTSORvJ6Bu4/s1600/Command2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhef7hPPX4qC0DJmBHjuAgEu27Sy-_Kh1i_4wQ2MIi1WsfjHbFUBq81OcDCdhd4KQtfHaON9J2wOScBkkNnLyVGIOuN1YbiVkrhtfMNk98vIDSuPriZL_4uAx08Zo1H8xKdiTSORvJ6Bu4/s640/Command2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Ritchie Van Cuaderno Angeles of Pasig C3</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">It took TS Ondoy to shake things up with regards to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) from the national level down to the local government level. It became the impetus of RA 10121, the creation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). It replaced the National Disaster Coordinating Council which was headed by the Secretary of National Defense. TS Ondoy became what was called, The Perfect Flood. It inundated 85% of the NCR, large portions of Rizal, Bulacan and Laguna provinces. It’s sudden occurrence was unprecedented. A month’s average rainfall occurred in a matter of five hours. Rescue and recovery operations proved inadequate and the number of deaths was historically high for even flood prone areas that experience perennial flooding.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This spurred the establishment of not only the NDRRMC but also a more wholistic approach. That many government agencies also joined the table in the council. Now, it is the president who is head of the council. There is the Department of National Defense (DND), The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), The Department of Health (DOH), The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),The Department of Agriculture (DA) and even Housing.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These are then replicated all the way down in the Local Government Units (LGUs) and even to the barangay level. Each LGU created their own Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMOs) and Offices (LDRRMOs). This way, an LGU can be the first responders in times of disasters. Also, RA10121 mandates that every LGU have 5% of its budget be committed to their DRRMOs. Trainings, seminars and technology was developed and implemented down the line. Foreign assistance were received and also formed part of early warning systems and communications systems. Everything seemed to be progressing and protocols were formulated.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">But like in warfare, the battleplans crafted were designed for use in fighting the last war. Typhoon Yolanda buried those protocols upon contact. Yolanda was different from Ondoy. The catastrophic effects were not in the protocols developed and implemented. The destruction was on a scale not played out in the scenarios by the Technical Working Groups and most of all, the local chief executives never really took the seminars seriously so that information was not cascaded down to the community level. The people who managed the local level were victims themselves.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Moving Forward</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The experience in Yolanda prompted a hardening of logistics and communications lines in times of disasters. LGUs invested not only in equipment and infrastructures but also more intensive trainings and information dissemination activities down to the local level. The DA in coordination with the DOST came up with typhoon resilient rice varieties. Early Warning Systems were more distributed and contingency plans were updated and revised.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As Typhoon Karen was approaching, LDRRMOs were already making preparations. Monitoring systems and communications systems were crackling even as there were still no winds and rains. LDRRMO’s mobilized their personnel and round the clock manning of monitoring and warning systems were manned.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEouSmT-cmJi1Q7pS4x4vZ7aqGb0aWfVTGbjAQHTAm2hswklZs6Jgp2oC5knhha7uVQEvkpcx84USefpMqu0g4GY3CexEsNDe_vAXv8yl2t3S4bZ29fjDfqUT7Qh9fuQ0xnEtxxNhYSpw/s1600/Command2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEouSmT-cmJi1Q7pS4x4vZ7aqGb0aWfVTGbjAQHTAm2hswklZs6Jgp2oC5knhha7uVQEvkpcx84USefpMqu0g4GY3CexEsNDe_vAXv8yl2t3S4bZ29fjDfqUT7Qh9fuQ0xnEtxxNhYSpw/s640/Command2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Ritchi Van Cuaderno Angeles of Pasig C3</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As Typhoon Karen made landfall, all emergency crews of LGUs, utility companies and private institutions were prepared. Pre-emptive evacuations were conducted and even the DPWH and BAPOCOR monitored the water levels at dams.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This is the New Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Painful lessons learned from Ondoy and Yolanda were learned, evaluated and analyzed so that the the battle will be fought for the current war.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">As of this writing, a more powerful typhoon named Haiman ia approaching. Batten down the hatches and Stout Hearts!  </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 4971960452168904797&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 4971960452168904797&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Civilian Crisis Management Climate Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Technology Weather Typhoon Karen: The New Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Photo courtesy of Ritchie Van Cuaderno Angeles of Pasig C3 It took TS Ondoy to shake things up with regards to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) from the national level down to the local government level. It became the impetus of RA 1012…

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More than Mitigation but Resilience: The Pasig City CDRRMO

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwFpTn6QpsOvYhQGM3FZNs_RjDpFVGqyu21oSFipRzDxJQPDr4Rmf51oFA8udZjkarwzGL9TRIYqPlzrqCuRLS8LLFj2z3WirkH2V-yc_skjlQwEE_dpbkITKBpthiNTUVOxMahEGTz8/s1600/Pasig+C3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwFpTn6QpsOvYhQGM3FZNs_RjDpFVGqyu21oSFipRzDxJQPDr4Rmf51oFA8udZjkarwzGL9TRIYqPlzrqCuRLS8LLFj2z3WirkH2V-yc_skjlQwEE_dpbkITKBpthiNTUVOxMahEGTz8/s640/Pasig+C3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City lies between the Marikina River and the Pasig River. Together with Marikina and Cainta, Pasig City is a catch basin for the rains that fall on the Sierra Madre mountain range that borders Bulacan, Rizal and Quezon. Even by historical accounts, Pasig has had annual floods when the Marikina River that flows into the Pasig River swells from the rains from the so called mountain range.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The early inhabitants of Pasig had three industries. They are dependent on natural irrigation from the annual floods for their ricefields, the riverbanks where the majority of the early settlement converged were for duck raising and boat building since before, there was no South Superhighway or SLEX that connected Manila to Laguna. There was only the Pasig River to serve as the transportation artery towards Laguna de Bae and then access to Morong and Laguna Province.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City is no stranger to floods. But since population has increased many fold, the natural waterways have been constricted or worse, have been taken over by settlements. The natural basin for rainwater such as the ricefields have been converted into settlements and subdivisions. Thus, flooding has worsened and have become longer in duration. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The people of Pasig City have managed to adjust with the annual floods but population pressure has exacerbated the problems related to flooding and with this the citizens of Pasig created informal organizations. In the past, the barangay chairman or even before that the Capitan del Barrio would make the rounds of the community when a storm was expected to arrive. The Barrio Captainn would see to it that roofs were secure and tied down and he would distribute rice to members of the community. Floods would occur and people did not evacuate  but stayed in their houses and on their roofs and wait for the flood to abate. Then reconstruction would occur.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These organizations were first based on volunteer radio-communications groups and communities. But a more formal and structured  was needed. The time for just waiting out the floods is no longer feasible due to the higher flood level and the longer duration.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The wake up call came when Tropical Storm Ketsana or Ondoy hit Pasig City in 2009 when thousands of homes were submerged. It affected the greater portion of the population of Pasig City and its duration was unprecedented in recent history.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Because of this, Pasig City built its Command Center in 2010. Together with RA 10121, Pasig City established it City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Office., It has installed an initial 220 CCTV cameras and Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS). All  of which are integrated into a computerized system that has analytics and capabilities in forecasting potential floods based on collected data from various sources and systems.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City has only 2 pumping stations during Ondoy in 2009. Today, it has 23 pumping stations. Pasig City has trucks and boats that can be used during floods and other disasters. The city can now respond to calls for help within minutes.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City has a backup communication system that can be utilized even if all cellsites of the telecommunications companies have been rendered inoperable such as what happened during Ondoy.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">But what sets Pasig City apart is its investment in the “soft” infrastructure for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). This is the trainings component. This is where the real the real investment in DRRM is. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig allots some 5% of its annual budget to reducing the risk and mitigating the impact of disasters.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City spent Php244 million for disaster preparedness and mitigation. What matters is not just a big budget but a wholistic approach in DRRM as Pasig DRRM Chief Ritchie Van Angeles.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City CDRRMO is a Gawad Kalasag Hall of Fame awardee, 2012 Best GEMS and 2015 Best City DRRMO.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Pasig City not only tries to mitigate the disaster but also included sound planning and training. Pasig City has also conducted structural audits of all public buildings, roads and bridges so as to ensure that the city will be resilient to disasters notwithstanding its being a home to two rivers.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 6908266316965724036&target=facebook" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9D-FSm0nKiyuTlyRpu0R4Zhxr1_BNi6bSUbUybb1vB5hfZLL7U3n3zXPJ6gzMa_TRViO3Csb0a_R4lJD_vsp_1LOH4DTT3_NXIvhBfa8Tw5cHwXr3dbq4jXcjU8rdft9EG_HuDNgBK8/s1600/sharefb185.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=7740731512343197842&postID= 6908266316965724036&target=twitter" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgRh49Ak1XO90FTppe5zEebPxluKZmn2rMqXCtALYGHEhX3Zu3CXOnMOSKGQxC7lj65fNzRY533oW_XkqWcZDZ29C6byBHUoD5ydkuypDYgADfakKZ-_I3cmZa5MtMWhF0SCIJ8B406Q/s1600/sharetw185.png" /></a></div>

Civilian Crisis Management Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Emergency Rescue Training Technology More than Mitigation but Resilience: The Pasig City CDRRMO

Pasig City lies between the Marikina River and the Pasig River. Together with Marikina and Cainta, Pasig City is a catch basin for the rains that fall on the Sierra Madre mountain range that borders Bulacan, Rizal and Quezon. Even by historical acco…

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