IRM Contribution to Resilience Building of High-Risk Communities in the Philippines

Abstract:

PfR Philippines worked with high-risk communities frequented by disasters and more likely to be burden by their effects. From the start of PfR implementation in the national capital region, CARE-ACCORD has been collaborating with Barangay Potrero in Malabon City. A decade after, Potrero is now better prepared and considered a model for disaster preparedness, community engagement, and local advocacy.

Potrero is one of the communities badly hit by Ketsana. Being composed of urban poor communities located in the catch basin of the Malabaon-Navotas-Tullahan-Tinajeros River basin, the high floodwaters also brought massive garbage, that destroyed houses and posed health concerns to the populace.

Through mainstreaming IRM in their plans and activities, Potrero became the best example of community-based disaster preparedness and solid waste management, earning them recognition nationally and abroad. They were also invited as resource person in a senate hearing about disaster risk reduction, for their commendable implementation of disaster risk measures.

The change and improvements in Barangay Potrero are worth sharing to other high-risk communities, especially in low-income nations frequently devastated by disasters. Their experience also supports the Sendai Framework’s global targets in reducing mortality and number of people affected by disasters and in the harmonization of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.

Speaker(s):

• Maridel Barbin, Secretary, Barangay Portero, Malabon City

Time Slot: 8:15 - 8:30 CET

Language: English

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