Community-based Early Warning System in Agos River in General Nakar and and Infanta in Northern Quezon

EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PLANNING
AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

1. Participatory Capacity and Vulnerabilty Assessment (PCVA) was conducted to determine if the proposed project on Early Warning System will address the needs of the community.
2.Participatory approach was applied to ensure broad involvement not only of the communities but efforts were coordinated and partnership was established with the local government of Infanta and General Nakar
3. To ensure the participation of the LGUs, levelling- off with the MDCC of the two municipalities was conducted where roles and responsibilities were defined.
4. To incorporate science and technology in weather forecasting linkages with scientific agencies and institution such as UP – NIGS and local PAGASA weather station was instituted
5. Partnership with two local radio groups - KABALIKAT CIVICOM and BARCOM was established to assist in the development of communication system
6. To increase the awareness and raise the capacity of the population trainings on Disaster Risk Management were conducted on 16 participating barangays with the reactivation and strengthening of the Brgy. Disaster Coordinating Council (BDCC)

UNDERSTANDING THE RAIN AND WATER LEVEL: Installing Rain Gauges

KNOWING THE RIVER, HOW THE WATER FLOWS, HOW IT DRAINS

Installing water level measuring instruments in the Agos River

Measuring river depth, width, water height level
Understanding the rate of water flow

ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

Site selection for the repeater station
Installation of repeater and base station
Distribution of communication equipment with the help of KABALIKAT and BARCOM
Orientation on basic radio communication and formulation of a common language for emergency communications

Rainfall observation, observation of river conditions (i.e. color, force of flow, sound, debris movement, movement of current, water level) gets reported by the communities to the BDCC and the local disaster preparedness team. Data from the water level measuring station gets communicated through the repeater/base stations to the MDCC. Analysis is done in the MDCC by with the help of PAGASA and other experts from institutions such as the Manila Observatory. Official forecast is then communicated back to the communities in both the upper and lower end of the river through the communications system developed.

PERCEIVED VALUE OF A COMMUNITY-BASED EWS

• Timely warning on evacuation of communities
• Saving lives, livestock and personal belongings
• Low capital and operational costs required
• Establishes closer ties between communities, the government and the private sector.
• Facilitated the development of other projects supporting flood disaster mitigation
• Communities are better aware of their risks
• Facilitates the understanding of the relationship between disaster risks and its impact on development of communities within the river system. As a result informed decisions are made on how the community can put their resources into better use.
• An early warning increases lead time of communities to respond to threats

REFLECTIONS

• Participation of communities are enhanced when they understand the value of an engagement
• Engaging all stakeholders can also increase the asset-base of any community-based engagement
• Community ownership of any community-based initiative is essential. This facilitate a more community-managed engagement.
• It is possible to implement a high value project with less financial investment through efficient use of community assets
  

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• Name of Organization	Social Action Center Prelature of Infanta
  Location	Infanta, Northern Quezon
  Contact Person	Theodorus Van Loon (Deacon Mario) or Arnel Garcia
  Address	Prelature of Infanta, Bishop’s Residence
  Contact Number	042-5354213
  Email address	sac_rin112904@yahoo.com