DRRM Ready

Disaster Risk Reduction Plan: San Nicolas, San Antonio, Zambales

The province of Zambales is prone to disasters mostly because of typhoons resulting to floods and landslides. Although this happens almost every year, the administration is ready to take action and take good care of the province. “Sa mga kababayan natin, makinig po tayo sa mga disaster management authorities and heed orders of evacuation. Huwag na natin hintayin lumala pa ang sitwasyon. Don’t worry about the need for food and relief. Habang kumakain kami, kakain din kayo,” Gov. Ebdane said. Rest assured, if one town is affected by a calamity the whole province is ready to help.



San Antonio is one of Zambales' most treasured towns. It boasts beautiful beaches providing comfort to tourists in the most exciting and humble way. Each barangays have their own respective DRRM plan but everything connects to the municipal office because San Antonio is just a small town.

Interviewees: Barangay Secretary, Efren L. Padua and Kagawad Lando Funiestas

San Nicolas is one of the barangays of San Antonio in Zambales. According to Kagawad Funiestas, Disaster risk reduction management trainings are done every year in each municipalities to ensure the safety of each barangays and its members. Programs like this are very important for the management of the community so that if a disaster ever happens, we would know what to do and where to go. Barangay San Nicolas is in between barangay Pundaquit and San Miguel where beaches are located and if ever a tsunami would occur, plans about evacuations are all set. The barangay is also exposed to floods but even though most of the houses are already elevated, evacuation sites are always ready to accept and serve families whenever they need it. "May plano na ang munisipyo para sa buong bayan", Kagawad Funiestas added. Each barangay officials have been coordinating with the municipality in order to safeguard the members of the town.

Upon asking the issue about the coming of "the Big One", Kagawad Funiestas shared that the barangay have already conducted at least two earthquake drills wherein one is addressed to the National Earthquake Drill and with the Philippine Navy and Police officers in support, the drill has been a success. Also, schools made sure that their students would participate in the drill and take them seriously. A mobile is circuiting the vicinity of San Nicolas to announce updates about the situations of the barangay whether it may be about an upcoming calamity or new informations.

The following pictures are the programs of the barangay regarding disaster risk reduction preparedness for the year 2015.

When I asked Kagawad Funiestas about the response of the members of the barangay, he was amused because everyone was willing to cooperate. "Hindi na tayo mahihirapan pa sa pag-evacuate o pagbigay ng relief goods kung sakali kasi training palang eh halos lahat na ay anjan para sumuporta". He also said that these may help mitigate the disaster because willingness is the first step to a better community. "..maganda rin yung ganto kasi para rin naman sa kaligtasan natin ang mga to."

Evacuation Center

"Hindi naman tayo masyadong apektado sa mga kalamidad pero syempre kailangan parin nating maging sigurado." Mr. Padua said when I asked him about the status of the barangay. Luckily, San Nicolas still didn't experience disastrous situations in the past years.

We need to address the issue of disasters in our country because if we don't, who will? Everyone of us is obligated to extend a helping hand to our neighbors or strangers. We are human beings and it is in our blood to help fellow human beings.

To learn more about disaster risk reduction management programs you may watch this video: https://vimeo.com/70196499