Capacitating Local Leaders to Initiate Community-based Disaster Response

Armiya Diocolano Edon, 40, is a Barangay Kagawad of Tamontaka 5, Cotabato City and an active participant of the Disaster Risk Reduction Network. For years, she has seen the effects of calamities and has learned to live with the perennial problem.

“Tamontaka 5 is easily submerged in water during rainy season. It is among the low-lying areas of Cotabato City. We still have unpaved roads and our agrarian lands are usually sunken after heavy rains,” Armiya shares. 

As a local leader, people often come to her for help but the barangay could only provide with the cascaded assistance from the local government, if there’s any. Thus, the inclusion of their barangay in the Strengthening Urban Preparedness through Pre-emptive Action in BARMM (SUPPA-BARMM) Project is a welcome change to assist their community in disaster response. 

She witnessed how her community struggled to live through the effects of flooding. For this reason, she is motivated to consistently join trainings and seminars under the SUPPA-BARMM Project. The focus on flooding and related disasters caught her interest as she sought to understand the causes and effects of these events, as well as solutions based on realistic conditions in her community. 

“I was happy to learn about contingency planning. Whenever the disaster officer came to visit, I understood and contributed to the discussion. We also learned about financial literacy and management which I think is important especially at the household level.”

Armiya recounts when selected community members initially received the COVID-19 cash assistance worth PhP5,000 from the SUPPA-BARMM project. With the financial aid, the recipients had the prerogative to directly address their most immediate need. 

“Some used the money to buy rice, basic necessities and medicine so when livelihoods are affected, they can rely on these supplies. Others had their boats fixed and bought nets for fishing in flooded fields. They invested in tools than can help them with their livelihoods.” 

With the cash assistance, orientation and training sessions, Armiya feels that they are more mentally prepared to face future flooding in their area. While she hopes for the cash assistance to continue for vulnerable households, the knowledge they acquired helps them to mentally prepare and find ways with the limited resources that they have. 

“This project helped us in so many ways, not only with financial assistance. We now understand how to better manage resources and prepare; to always prioritize savings, especially in the midst of recurring emergencies.”