As the Philippines braces for every storm that enters its, have you ever wondered what those involved in disaster risk reduction efforts do in order to ensure that everything is under control?

People at the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) had to pray that their own families are safe while they are at the command center for 24 hours or more in order to save the lives of others.

PDRRMC Director Jerry Bionat said their families already understand that they have to render public service especially during calamities.

“Wala tulugay during disasters,” he said.

Bionat narrated that after they have projected the arrival of a typhoon based on the weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), they will advise all heads of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs) to monitor for 24 hours their identified low-lying areas. These offices also report to them any typhoon-related incident with the use of cellular phones, e-mails, landlines and handset radios.

Bionat’s trusted personnel, John Salazar, said he has sleepless nights  with his supervisor at the third floor of the Provincial Capitol building where the PDRRMC holds office because they coordinate with the MDRRMO heads especially those in areas that are considered as storm surge-prone and flood-prone.

Salazar said these storm surge-prone areas are the coastal towns of Miag-ao, Tigbauan, Guimbal, San Joaquin and Oton in the First District; and Estancia, Carles, Balasan, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Ajuy and Barotac Viejo in the Fifth District.

Flood-prone areas are Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas in the Fourth District; Calinog, Janiuay, Cabatuan and Passi City in the Third District; and Leganes, Zarraga and New Lucena, in the Second District.

Salazar said since they already identified the trend, it is easy for them to monitor the status of these areas.

He added they also deal with callers and informants, monitor radio stations and Pagasa online updates and the police.

They also coordinate evacuation centers, relief goods and augmentation of rescue equipment.

Meanwhile, Tigbauan Emergency Responder (Tiger) Cyril Imperial said he and 69 other members coordinate with 52 villages of their town, including Brgy. 7 where he is a barangay official. 

“As a volunteer rescuer trained by the PDRRMC, our mission is to save lives despite the risks,” he said.

He added that the watchmen (tanods) of these villages are skilled on search and rescue.

They also extend help to other towns if needed.*