In Naga City, A-PAD donates EWS devices to barangays
By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay
OVER the years, the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) has been dedicated to fostering collaboration with its stakeholders while placing a strong emphasis on prioritizing disaster preparedness. A-PAD aims to minimize the risks and hazards faced by the vulnerable sector through its programs and activities.
On Saturday, June 24, A-PAD Philippines turned over Early Warning System (EWS) devices to Barangays Trianggulo, Sabang, and San Francisco following the active involvement of their micro-entrepreneurs, disaster stakeholders, and local officials in the Micro-Enterprise Business Continuity (BCP) training conducted in May and June of this year.
A-PAD PH President Gilbert Albero said that the activity aims to increase the preparedness of vulnerable barangays in times of disaster.
“Just like the impact experienced by the wider community, the business sector is also significantly affected by any disaster or calamity. However, we have a responsibility to fulfill. It is crucial to ensure that those who depend on us do not face disappointment or setbacks,” Albero said during the EWS turnover activity held at the Naga City People’s Hall, here.
Albero said that after the storm has calmed, the affected community needs to buy bread from a bakery; they need to buy medicines from the pharmacy, and they have to buy necessities from sari-sari stores, groceries, and foods from the wet market. They will also need hardware materials to repair their houses and other similar supplies.
“In as much as micro-entrepreneurs are affected, they have a role to fulfill. In the cycle of these things, we need collaboration, coordination and synchronization of our actions. So, kami sa A-PAD, we have programs, one of which is BCP – or Business Continuity Planning. So, kahit anong dumating na kalamidad, o trahedya, dapat the next day, nakatindig na po tayo. We are very thankful that through the years, and in the current administration of Mayor [Nelson] Legacion, we continue to get the support that we need,” Albero added.
The barangay recipients received a handover of six units of Crown Public Address System (megaphone), specifically the SR-106 60w model. Additionally, they were provided with 150 pieces of generic stainless whistles enclosed in acrylic cases, as well as nine units of NXLED searchlights, specifically the ANX-7300 10w model.
The city government of Naga received three (3) sets of solar panel kits, along with their respective components, through the three barangays that underwent Business Continuity Planning (BCP) training: 1pc Berlin 170-watt solar panel, 1pc Bosca solar power inverter (1,000 w), 1pc Semper solar charge controller (30a), 1pc 10-meter power cable (panel controller) and 1 pc 1-meter power cable (inverter to the battery).
The EWS devices were used during the simulation exercise in Barangays Sabang and Trianggulo on June 24 and 25 respectively. Brgy. San Francisco will utilize the same donated units on June 30.
City Mayor Nelson Legacion conveyed his gratitude to A-PAD and to the People of Japan thru its Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their generous support in providing the Early Warning System (EWS). He also echoed Albero’s sentiments, emphasizing his administration’s firm belief in the importance of promptly regaining strength and resilience in the aftermath of storms or calamities.
“Sundan ko lang ang sinabi ni Gilbert, dapat nasasabayan ang pag asenso, ang mabilis na pag unlad ng isang lugar, ng ating lungsod. [Dapat] nasasabayan ng kahandaan, kaya ano mang hamon ng buhay ang dumating sa buhay natin, ano mang unos, nakahanda tayong bumangon,” Legacion stated.
Legacion said that these preparedness measures should be complemented with the necessary public works.
He added that good governance should have an add-on – and that is improving public amenities and facilities that would provide the foundation for economic growth that will improve the conduct of business and commerce.
“The activity is part of the BCP Simulation for Local Government and Community activity being implemented by A-PAD PH under its Strengthening Community Resilience for Disaster Preparedness through Multi-sectoral Collaboration Project,” A-PAD PH Executive Director Athea Penaloza said.
A-PAD PH plans to implement Business Continuity Planning (BCP) training in highly disaster-prone regions such as Bicol, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Eastern Mindanao. Microenterprises from these identified areas will be selected to undergo BCP training, which will encompass fundamental BCP concepts, identification and assessment of disaster risk scenarios, and evaluation of the impact on their businesses.
This training aims to equip them with the necessary skills to develop suitable business continuity strategies, taking into account the basic BCP knowledge, determination and evaluation of disaster risk scenarios, and assessing the impact on their businesses.
A-PAD PH is a non-profit, non-stock organization and is a member of the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD), a trans-national disaster aid alliance that aims to foster collaboration and mutual understanding among governmental entities, private corporations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Asia Pacific area.
It endeavors to establish partnerships and prearrangements with stakeholders involved in health emergency disaster risk management, with the objective of collaborating and providing enhanced assistance to survivors and communities affected by disasters. (PIA 5/ Camarines Sur)