LUCENA CITY (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) underscored the crucial role of barangays in emergency response during the Bagong Calabarzon Barangay Forum held on Wednesday, April 24. 

Organized by the Philippine Information Agency – Calabarzon, the Quezon leg of the Bagong Calabarzon Barangay Forum emphasized the significance of inclusive barangay disaster response plans, showcasing Barangay Talao-talao’s proactive residents as an example. 

SF01 Cresilda Sales-Abastillas, spokesperson for the BFP Lucena City, said the fire bureau recently launched ‘Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan’ with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a fire safety information campaign for barangays. 

Sales-Abastillas said: “We have also deputized ‘bumbero sa barangay’ to be the designated barangay rescue personnel, who are recommended by the barangay.”

“We are slowly implementing this program on a quarterly basis, in addition to our routine house surveying and seminars,” she added. 

Riel Briones, chairman of Barangay Talao-talao, said they have partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to repurpose classrooms in public schools as temporary shelters during emergencies.

Talao-talao is one of the coastal barangays where the Lucena City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) regularly conducts DRRM training sessions for frontliners. 

Briones added: “All of our barangay tanods underwent response training during accidents. At first, we focused on Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training, and later on, trained [them] on responding to vehicular accidents.” 

With over 5,000 residents in Barangay Talao-Talao dependent on fishing as their primary livelihood, there is a pressing need to develop a disaster preparedness plan tailored especially to the needs of fisherfolk and their families. 

Omar Gajo, head of administration and training at the Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), commended the barangay’s proactive approach to tapping schools into their disaster response strategy.

“It’s commendable that captain [Briones] has the initiative to coordinate with the schools in case it has to be converted into an evacuation center even before disaster strikes,”

Gajo added: “What's great here is that the community members, our stakeholders, are included because you can use that when the disaster comes. We always remind municipalities to see to it that barangay officials and residents in disaster-prone areas also attend our training.” 

The Bagong Calabarzon Barangay Forum aims to address pressing local issues and serve as a platform to host communities and concerned government agencies to engage in fruitful discussions. 

Following its successful run in Laguna and Quezon, the Bagong Calabarzon Barangay Forum is expected to also make rounds in other provinces of the region. (PB/PIA-4A)