Dumagueteños trained on disaster response

The Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR), together with Smart Communications Inc., organized a training program on community disaster preparedness in barangay Candau-ay, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Candau-ay, one of the barangays that was hit hard by typhoon Sendong in 2011, is the latest host community for the Noah’s Ark Project of CNDR.

A total of 35 barangay officials, health workers and purok leaders participated in the workshop held last Jan. 8 to 10 at the Dumaguete septage treatment facility in barangay Camanjac.

Representatives of CNDR and the the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) conducted the first in a series of workshops and trainings on disaster preparedness particularly during floods.

The project will culminate after six months with a flood drill based on contingency plan that the barangay has formulated.

The project aims to build disaster-resilient communities with the least number of casualties through a series of trainings, workshops and development of a contingency plan. It hopes to change the mindset of the community from the barangay leaders down to the residents to strengthen their disaster preparedness, thus, minimizing the need for rescue operations.

CNDR and Smart have already conducted a similar flood warning and evacuation drill last year in barangay Tumana, Marikina City; barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City; and Barangay Banago in Bacolod City.

Noah’s Ark is also being implemented in other high-risk communities such as barangay Bayanan, Muntinlupa City; barangay Guitinang Bayan 1, San Mateo Rizal; and barangay Tubod, Iligan City. The project has also been expanded in barangay Nangka, Marikina City.