LOCATION: Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Makati City

PUNONG BARANGAY: Maribel Frias-Vitales

Barangay 21 Southside is a barangay inside a military reservation camp located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Makati City. The barangay has the total area of 243 hectares, a population of 52,248 (NSO Survey 2010) with an average household size of 5-10 members. The barangay has no water body present within its vicinity, has a low flood intensity, low earthquake risk but has moderately undulating & rolling land slopes in many direction.

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

 “Kalakal turns to Gold”

The program has a two-fold goal: a) reduce non-biodegradable/residual waste in the community and b) road pavements rehabilitation. Aside from addressing the prevailing environmental issues in the community, it also aims to teach the residents of the barangay the values of cooperation or “bayanihan” towards community development. Moreover, the barangay aims to be recognized as an “eco-friendly” barangay and serves as a venue for the benchmarking of programs/policies for environmental protection.

Setting Up of Early Warning System

The Early Warning System of the Barangay Southside is composed of 44 cameras, 21 solar lamp posts and 24 public address systems positioned in vital areas of the community. Additional warning information is also being placed in the community like “evacuation map and route.”

Presence of Rescue Personnel and Emergency Vehicles

The Barangay Southside is equipped with rescue personnel from Medical and Fire team who are trained on first aid and basic life support and skilled in firefighting technique. The team attends different seminars and workshops for continuous development and to improve their skills.

Continuous conduct of IEC campaign on climate/disaster risks

Information Education and Communication campaign, the Southside Rescue Team facilitated seminars and trainings in different areas of the barangay.

Regular clean up drive

The barangay leaders, employees and the locals are in charge of maintaining and cleaning up the community at least twice a month.

Land Area: 365 hectares

Total Population (2015): 78,912

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program

The program aims to promote the preparedness of the community and private sector partners by conducting risk reduction programs based on the resources available in the barangay.  The partners of the barangay become prepared to face any type of disasters or calamity that may strike anytime especially to the common hazard areas of the barangay. After the first phase of the activity, the barangay finally trained 2000 personnel within the community and private sector partners. The target participants for this initiative are the youth, schools and commercial establishments. The project is led by the community and some private sectors for the benefit not just of the community itself but for its partners as well.

‘You Throw - We Grow’ Program (Organic Vegetable Garden)

This program converts empty lots into organic vegetable gardens using processed bio-wastes of the communities into soil enhancers. Okra plants in one of the garden towers rise at more than eight feet.The vegetable gardens are enhanced through processing of bio-wastes that are converted into compost using a variety of methods, and proliferated through apiculture.

Eco-Shed

Daily collected kitchen and garden wastes are composted in the eco-shed (located and assembled in the vegetable garden of the community), using the lasagna method (soil-waste-soil).

Black Soldier Fly (BSF)

The BSF converts organic wastes such as food scraps and manure into high protein feeds for fish and chicken.  (One square meter of BSF can consume about 15 kgs per day.)

“Back to Eden” (Mulching)

Bio-wastes such as vegetable trimmings and garden wastes are shredded and used as mulch, allowing for faster weeding of the grounds and enrichment of the soil all at the same time.

Apiculture

The gardens are supported by continuous pollination of the bees thereby increasing the gardens’ produce. (Bee culture at Our Lady of Unity Parish Church.)

LOCATION: LOPEZ JAENA ST, BARANGAY SAN JOSE

PUNONG BARANGAY: RONWALDO C. ANGELES.

Land Area: 8 hectares

Total Population: 1,293 (589 males and 704 females)

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Public Safety Plan

The public safety plan of Barangay San Jose has five areas of concern namely environmental protection, health and sanitation, community development, crime prevention, fire prevention and suppression. Environmental protection aims to protect the waterways in the barangay by campaigning against illegal dumping. Barangay San Jose has already established the bantay ilog to monitor the dumping of waste materials in the area. The health and sanitation area covers the maintenance of the clean and green program of the barangay and the environmental sanitation and beautification of the barangay, while community development covers the conduct of various livelihood trainings, conduct of practical skills training and construction of relevant infrastructure. Crime prevention strengthens the barangay peace committee and crime information education, while fire prevention and Suppression strengthens the San Jose Fire and rescue volunteers via conduct of fire safety consciousness seminars in the barangay.

Early Warning System

The barangay developed multiple early warning systems that would alert the barangay in case of emergencies or disasters. Continous bell pounds from the bell tower of their church connotes fire, while 60-second continuous sirens means duck, cover and hold.The second siren after that means go to the evacuation area. The barangay also has a flood risk-based public address system based on the increasing water level in the Marikina River.

URBAN GARDEN

Urban gardening is the process of growing plants of all types and varieties in an urban environment.  Barangay San Jose urban garden has vegetables like mustasa, pechay, kangkong. The composted leaves are mixed with the soil.

WASTE SEGREGATION

Waste segregated from the biodegradable, and non biodegradable wastes for proper disposal and recycling. Barangay San Jose has its own MRS or the Material Recovery Station. 

Land Area: 10 hectares
Population (2015): 654

Barangay 121 has 5.9 hectares  composed of residential lots, and 4.1 hectares that  are for businesses and industries.  The barangay consists of 137 homes, where majority of homeowners are working professionals employed in the private sector,

Ensuring everyone's safety, orderliness of action, and compliance are important things that residents and officials of the barangay prioritize in times of calamities and natural disasters. This way, they can also serve as role models to nearby communities, and also help save lives and properties for everyone's benefit.

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Community Volunteers and Emergency Response Team

The  Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (BDRRM) officials, as well as the residents are also well informed on the various strengths and areas for opportunity of the barangay, in addressing incidents of fires, earthquakes, typhoons, as well as heavy rains, including their effects and probability of impacts. Through organizations such as the Ladies in Action, Senior Citizens Association, Kids in Action, the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan, and the Motorcycle Riders Against Crime,  the spirit of "bayanihan" is also practiced and encouraged. Other barangay personnel also serve as community volunteers and members of their Emergency Response Team.

Although the barangay has no health facilities, trained health workers coordinate with the Philippine Red Cross in times of medical emergencies.

Items such as emergency kits, hard hats, flashlights, megaphone, batteries and whistle are also easily accessible for use by residents and officials. Short messaging service, and public address and paging systems are also used to warn residents of impending danger especially during typhoons.

Other Initiatives

Declogging of canals, trimming and cutting of trees, availability of fire extinguishers, maintaining cleanliness as well as monitoring of flood gauges are some of their simple, yet best practices in preventing and mitigating risks brought about by natural disasters.

In addition, pre-disaster and post-disaster risk assessments are also done to determine            the risks brought about by natural disasters, and also to analyze, evaluate and understand the causes and impacts to those affected.

Land Area: 41.84 hectares

Total Population (2015): 11,322

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

State of the Barangay Address

The conduct of the State of the Barangay Address twice a year encourages the dissemination and discussion of relevant information, current issues, future plans, as well as strategies for disaster preparedness and addressing other environmental issues, which are beneficial to members of the community and other external stakeholders. Information is also disseminated through their roaming Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (BDRRMO) vehicle.

Hazard, resource and vulnerability maps are also posted in the Barangay Hall and other areas of the community to inform people of the nearest and accessible evacuation points in cases of fire, flood and earthquake. These maps are also updated regularly by officials, ensuring the accuracy of data.

Canal Improvement and Clean Up

Although the barangay, which is 15.6 kilometers away from the City Hall of Caloocan, is located in an elevated area, extreme weather events such as flooding could not be avoided, especially during heavy rains. But, through various initiatives such as canal improvement and cleanup, creek slabbing and fencing, rehabilitation of drainage systems, establishment of flood markers, regular cleanup drives, the barangay has been able to address such problems in flooding, resulting to lower water level during heavy rains.

Flood markers in creeks serve as warning where residents and non-residents can visualize the water level and any danger if ever they will pass in flooded areas. This was implemented beginning 2017, and always updated to make them more visible. At present, these flood markers are found at the Recomville Creek, Diamante Creek, Brookside and Sapphire Creeks. Cleanup of creeks and esteros are also done twice a year, or whenever needed.

Solid Waste Management Program

Solid waste management is also prioritized by the barangay. Through the implementation of the anti-littering policy, and regular conduct of orientation and training  on the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, officials and residents are made aware of the benefits of environmental protection, through proper solid waste management.

Barangay Gardens

Street sweepers have also been assigned to manage and oversee the barangay garden, where different kinds of vegetables are planted and harvested. Some vacant lots have also been turned into gardens.

Land Area: 549 hectares

Total Population (2015): 107,596

The barangay  is bounded by the Tala Leprosarium to the north, Maligaya Park Subdivision to the South, Barangay 179 to the east, and Barangay 174 to the west.

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Barangay Gardens

Through simple acts such as promoting and protecting green spaces, residents and officials are able to contribute to a sustainable and climate resilient community, and promote a healthy balance between people and nature. Fruit-bearing trees and vegetables are regularly planted in their garden, which is located near their Materials Recovery Facility.

The barangay has also made a commitment to include greening programs in their budget in the coming years. Residents, barangay officials and youth leaders have also committed to practice container gardening, which can not only be easily taught to senior citizens and other groups, but is also a great source of food for families in their homes.

Solid Waste Management 

Proper solid waste management and compliance to Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) is also one of the barangay's priorities. A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is present at the Barangay Hall Annex. Eco-Waste Management Officers have been designated to organize and manage the MRF. Solid waste management seminars are also done to encourage residents, members of homeowners’ associations, and especially the youth to practice proper waste management and segregation, and also do their part in addressing climate change.

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Disaster and emergency preparedness is also everyone's utmost concern in the barangay. That is why the barangay has also established an emergency warning system, to ensure prompt rescue, early detection of fires, earthquakes and other hazards. CCTV cameras are also present, and fire extinguishers are  readily available. Twenty six (26) Disaster Brigade members and two medical aids are also present and trained to be efficient during any medical and non-medical emergencies.

"Go Bags", containing emergency supplies and hygiene kits, are also distributed to residents, including the elderly and the disabled, to aid them during emergencies, especially natural disasters, for the next 72 hours. These Go Bags are especially distributed to residents living near danger zones.

Land Area: 34.40 sq km

Total Population (2015): 10,004

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 

The Barangay initiated the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Program. Prior to commencing the project, a barrier analysis study on DRRM was conducted. To implement the Barangay-Level DRRM Program, the Barangay activated the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) which underwent trainings and capacity building seminars like Community- Based DRRM Training. The BDRRMC became more responsive as seen during the fire incident in Q Deniega Street.

Awards and Recognitions

The Barangay has received the following recognitions: 2nd in the 5th-Disaster Preparedness and Skill Olympics and Benchmarking in 2017; 3rd Most Disaster Prepared Barangay in Valenzuela City last 2017 and; Most Disaster Prepared Barangay in Valenzuela in 2018.

Engaging the Vulnerable Sectors

Members of vulnerable sectors were invited to participate in the conduct of Community Risk Assessments, Contingency Planning and DRRM Planning to gather realistic information for said plans. The barangay also conducted a survey of inhabitants to identify these sectors and conducted fora and assemblies at the Purok Level.

Other Initiatives
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by different stakeholders, as they pledged for evacuation center facilities, and equipment like bulldozers and trucks. The barangay continuously enhances its contingency plan with the help of NGO and LDRRMO. People in low lying areas have livelihood programs to sustain them during emergencies. There are road constructions to mitigate flooding in the barangay. The barangay also has stockpile of food and non-food items necessary for disaster.

Land Area: 302 hectares
Total Population (2015): 45,000

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Contingency Planning

The barangay has implemented Contingency Planning through the help of ACCORD Partners for Resilience, Community Drill in Urban Setting  with yearly evacuation drills for earthquake and typhoon, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 through the help of Mother Earth Foundation (MEF).

Other Initiatives

Their innovative practices include organizing Potrero Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC), putting up Evacuation and Community Risk Maps, early warning devices and flood level gauges in different areas, Waste Analysis and Characterization Survey  with 100 households, and house-to-house information and education campaign  with MEF. Overall, a total of 15,864 individuals have benefited from the projects. The barangay won 2^nd place in 2015 Gawad Kalasag.

People’s organizations (25 neighborhood associations, six women’s organizations, six youth groups, and eight  other peoples’ organizations such as Gay Brigade, Gabay ng mga may Kapansanan, senior citizens) participate in their programs . In addition, senior citizens, pregnant women, children, and persons-with-disabilities (PWD) are prioritized in the evacuation center.

As an initiative to support their good practices, the barangay focuses on training more people and adding them to a team, purchasing rescue paraphernalia such as life vests and life buoys, ropes, emergency lights, flashlights, whistles, rescue boats and public address systems which were distributed to Puroks. Also, the barangay won as the Best in Solid Waste Management in Metro Manila in 2016 and the cash prize was used to purchase more tri-bikes for collection, uniforms and payroll for all the collectors. At the start of 2018, the barangay distributed new push carts and uniforms for the Waste Warriors.

To sustain their good practices, resolutions pertaining to the implementation of the Contingency Plan were adopted. Teams were also created which can respond immediately during disasters namely: PERT (Potrero Emergency Response Team), Potrero Fire & Rescue Volunteer Group, and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. Continuous training  about the importance of waste segregation, and regular de-clogging of canals and clean up drives were also conducted.

Land Area: 517.38 hectares

Total Population (2015): 161,409

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARDS CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCY

Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (BDRRM)

The barangay initiated the BDRRM with components of Installation and Maintenance of Early Warning Systems, Information, Education and Communication Campaigns, Go Bag for All, Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) and other Rescue Systems, Conduct of Regular Drills, Gulayan sa Barangay, Greening Programs, Garbage Collection and Segregation, and River and Creek Clean-ups.

Early Warning System (EWS)
As part of the innovativeness of their program, they have six types of EWS specifically, the Water Level Gauges, Siren, Emergency Alarm, Public Address  System, Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) System and Two-Way Radio Communication.

The vulnerable sector which includes persons with disabilities, pregnant women, senior citizens and children below 11 years of age also serve as the beneficiaries of the EWS, particularly on the use of two-way radio communication where all 124 purok leaders and 19 subdivision/village heads are into the frequency.

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns

For their IEC Campaigns, the barangay uses flyers, tarpaulins, billboards, Facebook account, Website, Project Echo, Environmental Protection Orientations and Touch Bases with the community.
 
To date, the whole community benefits from the EWS, this is extremely necessary particularly as the barangay was declared by the national government as  earthquake-prone as it  geographically sits in the West Valley Fault Line.
 
Gulayan sa Barangay

At least 200 children and senior citizens reap benefits from the weekly feeding program facilitated by the barangay. Vegetable harvests from the community garden support this feeding program. 

The barangay continues to allocate funds, through its Internal Revenue Allotment,  the activities of the BDRRM. Among resources recently donated to the barangay were water level gauges and siren  from the Municipality of San Mateo, Province of Rizal, 20 billboards from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), one ambulance from Fairview General Hospital and the other one from the Quezon City government.