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

INSTALLATION OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN THE BARANGAYS ALONG AGOS RIVER IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF INFANTA and GENERAL NAKAR, QUEZON

BDRC Pilot Project 2008-2009: SAC Infanta
(Infanta, Northern Quezon, Philippines)

Project Concept

The selected areas of project implementation are considered highly vulnerable areas that suffered the most in terms of human and economic losses during the last disastrous calamities in November 2004. Primarily, the reasons for these are the absence of clear disaster preparedness and response plan and efficient early warning system. Hence, the necessity to develop such a mechanism with the trainings on disaster preparedness and response is a significant factor to prevent the previous experience of the communities in dealing with disaster. The installation of a radio communication system to serve as early warning which is capable of reaching the whole community will improve monitoring and forecast information will guide the communities to the prepared disaster plan and response at the soonest possible time. The Early Warning System to be implemented is a community-based and people centered at local level. It is increasingly clear the necessity of a multi-hazard warning system that should represent a new way of thinking and ensures that environmental stability and local wisdom are built into disaster plans. The early warning system will make use of both low-tech and high-tech communication equipment. The batingaw or warning bells made from recycled oxygen tanks distributed in the communities will complement to warn the residents should there be a need to evacuate.

Basically this project includes water level measuring stations set up over key points in a watershed or its sub-station. Every station transmit its information in real time to repeater stations which are linked to a mother station where the data from all basins are received and processed and the change in water level at different points of interest can be closely watched. The basic elements of this system are a.) prediction; weather forecasting b.) detection-observation of rainfall and flood levels c.) communication – relay information to disaster agencies d.)decision making and e.) mobilization.

For the efficiency of the project, the early warning system must develop a standard actions to formulate an appropriate common messages easily understood by all the sectors in the communities. Consequently, the results of these will be integrated into the disaster preparedness and response training to be conducted to level-off the communities and all major stakeholders of the project.

However, in case of worst scenario that the radio communication system malfunctions or failed the only alternative warning scheme is the satellite cell phone that can relay and deliver a message in any disastrous event.

To have an added value and to maximize its purpose, it should be linked with the Manila Observatory and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) for climate forecasting. The application of climate forecasting will complement the implementation of the agricultural project in the upland as well in the low-lying areas. The multi-purpose use of this project plays an important role to address the livelihood issues of the communities. Through the messages relayed by MO and PAGASA on the climate forecasts that will be transmitted to the communities the farmers will be able to determine what crops is suitable to plant prepare a farm plan.

To make this operational, vertical and horizontal communication and coordination between all stakeholders, with roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined and agreed. The local government units must also be included in all planning and training and will be recognized as key stakeholders in the project. The communities shall also be active participants in all aspects of the development, operation, training and testing of the early warning system. The local cable network and radio and the parish church have an important role to immediately deliver the news to the communities in case of any emergency situation.

This project shall primarily be implemented the by Social Action Center, local government unit and MDCC of Infanta and General Nakar, KABALIKAT Radio Communication Group and will be sustained by the Barangay Council, BDCC and community based organizations particularly Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano (MSK). In general, the whole households in the targeted communities will benefit from this project since it aims the development of preparedness disaster plan and response.


Project Objectives

Generally, the main goal of the project is to mitigate the impact of any disastrous calamities that may happen in the selected area through the installation of a systematic communication and early warning system alongside with the capability building of the brgy. officials and community leaders through the reactivation and strengthening of the BDCCs in the municipalities Infanta and General Nakar, Quezon along the Agos River.

Specifically it aims to :

• Strengthen risk management capacity of the barangays/communities along the Agos River by forming, training and strengthening response units and developing contingency plans.

• Installation and operation of early warning systems

• Coordinate efforts with the NDCC and MDCCs of the municipalities of Infanta and General Nakar and other organizations and institutions to establish social support networks on disaster risk reduction.

• To link with scientific agencies like PAGASA and Manila Observatory to received accurate and scientific data of climate forecasting

• To relay climate forecasts to the communities to prepare for the farm and determine crop to be planted.


Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies

1. Church-based NGO at the frontline with spiritual-based formation as the focal point for strong community participation and action.
2. Adopt a partnership with the national and local units and other major institution and entities as an approach to ensure the social protection of the community.
3. Installation of a multi-hazard warning system
4. Utilization of low-tech and high-tech communication system.
5. Linked with the scientific agencies such as PAGASA and Manila Observatory.