TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The provincial government of Surigao del Sur capacitated all punong barangays on disaster dubbed “Liga ng mga Barangay information and education campaign on earthquake, tsunami and COVID-19 preventive measures”  on January 6 in Tandag City.

After the series of calamities that lately struck the province such as the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Hinatuan and magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Cagwait and their ongoing aftershocks, including the recent tropical depression Kabayan, the provincial government decided to equip the grassroots leadership with significant knowledge on disaster and their roles and responsibilities as first line of support to the community and their constituents during challenging times.

The provincial government also considered the need and urgency to equip the participants as most of them are new and just took their oath of office two months ago after winning the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023.  

Tandag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) chief Maria Victoria Bandoy,  who served as one of the resource speakers of the activity, appreciated the convergence, saying, “The holding of the event is crucial for the newly elected/re-elected barangay officials for them to be aware and be well-equipped on what to do  and how to respond to natural calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, and other related disasters based on RA 10121  or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.”

“Anent to our line of duty, the role of a leader in the barangay is critical as they are tasked to convey the right message to the constituents,” she added.  

Ephraim Toral, a subject-matter expert on COVID-19, from Tandag City Health Office, also shared some important tips on how to prevent and avoid the spread of the virus.

“Naa pa ang COVID-19 [The coronavirus disease is still here] Thus, we need to be careful and follow some significant health protocols, “ Toral emphasized. 

The speaker highlighted hygiene practices such as frequent hand-washing, proper mask usage, and respiratory hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Information about COVID-19 vaccines, their safety, and the benefits of vaccination were also included in the productive discussion.

Further, the resource speakers also shared their expertise in developing a comprehensive discourse on community resilience as disasters are inevitable especially for Surigao del Sur with its location that is near to active faults and trenches in the Pacific.  

Arnel Tasa, punong barangay of Poblacion, San Miguel, expressed his gratitude to the provincial government and partner agencies for this capacity training.

“As a new punong barangay, I need to know and learn what is the right process and procedure  so I can keep my people safe, since our constituents immediately run to us for help during a disaster,” Tasa said.

“This training is just right so we can deliver the right and accurate message to the community during a disaster,” he added.

RA 10121 mandated a community-based approach to disaster risk management wherein barangay officials play a vital role.  (NGPB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)