"Participatory hazard mapping" in San Fran

CEBU, Philippines - At least 19 stakeholders from Barangays San Isidro and San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu were taught how to conduct hazard mapping.

The mapping was initiated by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) together with the parent-representatives, barangay councilors and tanods and day care teachers.

The disaster-risk mapping was recently conducted with members from the Camotes Island Emergency Response Team (CIERT) joining the activity.

The participatory mapping is part of the day care construction program of Dolores Aboitiz Children's Fund (DACF) of RAFI, wherein DACF works with stakeholders to come up with a plan to identify and minimize risks and disasters in the community surrounding the day care centers.

“The goal of the planning session was to involve the community in ensuring the safety of the youngest stakeholders, as well as to contribute to the barangay's overall preparedness for disasters,” DACF Amaya C. Aboitiz said.

During the session, community stakeholders gained knowledge and skills in identifying hazards and vulnerabilities in the area surrounding the day care center.

They also assessed their current capacity and readiness to prevent and prepare for the effects of these hazards.

The hazard mapping also aims to strengthen the disaster risk reduction council at the local level, especially the barangay, since they will be the first to act in times of disaster. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government already issued a circular that outline guidelines for local executives in assuring the safety of their constituents during calamities.

The circular entitled “Guidelines in Ensuring Public Safety during Man-made and Natural Disasters” states that cal executives should conduct training, orientation and information dissemination on the possible natural hazards and climate change risks “in a language understood” by their constituents.

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, for its part, has been tasked to determine and recommend to local officials “the timely declaration of forced evacuation” as well as to identify evacuation centers. – (FREEMAN)