MDRRMC Simultaneous Drill (^=^)

It was an ordinary day for the people in punta tarawal. Some are cleaning the house, children are playing, some men are off to the shore to check their boats, and some are fixing their fish nets. I thought I will see people going to and from carrying their things for they know for a fact that on that day there was an MDRRMC simultaneous drill. That’s what’s in my head for that was the scenario I used to see every time I am asked to document a drill. But I was wrong. It was placid. The only difference is that everybody was wearing tops printed with simultaneous drill.

It was 7:00 in the morning, my task wasn’t really to document the drill, I was assigned to be a drill controller but it wasn’t me without the slash and I love slashes. Aboard on a large boat with ate olive, riz, jing, a couple of drill observers and men from media we went there full of fear because it wasn’t an ordinary day there was a real storm and the waves are so big enough to frighten us but we were on our life vests that somehow assured our safety.

As we landed on punta tarawal we oriented our drill observers with the scenario’s that they will be witnessing. We also looked for our actress to act handicapped during the drill and for a two mothers who will fight for their space at the evacuation center. We asked for assistance to distribute the stickers to the BDRRMC committees and place the tarpaulin. Ate jing went on for photo ops while the two reporters started their camera and do some interview.

Moments later and we saw the BDRRMC chair and his men hurrying to the session hall. It  is so easy for him to call up for an emergency meeting because their place is a small island and there’s no need for you to used megaphone for you will be heard right there. They were carrying a handheld radio and gave some instructions. It was a call from the MDRRMC communication team. They were busy exchanging details. Aware of the scenario and as what was we heard there was a strong typhoon coming and they were advised to prepare for a mass evacuation. The BDRRMC chair then informed the EWS Committee to give the warning signals. That signifies that the drill is on.

People rushed to the shorelines carrying everything they needed for the evacuation center. From bottled water, bags full of clothes, kitchen utensils, pale of water, I saw someone carrying mats and pillows, floaters for safety measures, I even saw our actress and she acts really good. She already has the bandage on her left leg. She was being carried by the members of health committee. What really inspired me is that there wasn’t a panic. People are calm. The BDRRMC committees are alert and really know what to do. They moved systematically. Men and strong people paved their way in favor of the vulnerable ones. They get their small children first, the pregnant woman who happened to be really weak, the elderly, there was never a panic. In the span of 10 minutes they are all aboard the boat and ready, they vacated punta tarawal with proper coordination from the MDRRMC. Discipline is what I saw. Unity was instilled in their mind whatever political parties you are in. Politics was disregarded. Everybody’s safety is the major concern. 

Seven boats carried the evacuees to the wharf of barangay balongay. They waited long to be transported to their designated evacuation center. Communication Team was constantly connecting with the MDRRMC. They are advised to wait for awhile since all trucks has been deployed to other barangays who needs to be transported to their evacuation center too. And there I saw our actress again continuously acting great. (We should reward her for being such a great actress.) As they saw their transportation, the BDRRMC chair told everybody that they are to be brought to Union Elementary School since that was their designated EC. And here we go conniving with the MDRRMC truck driver to deliver them to Union High School not to Union Elementary School. Devil me I know! But that’s what’s written in our drill scenario. Let’s see what the BDRRMC will do…

And as what I saw in the shoreline, still vulnerable first before the strong ones. Their evacuation site is approximately 5km from balongay. Distance is not a big deal if you feel like surviving according to the lady beside me at the wharf. Since there were 170 more evacuees the two pick-up truck must comeback. The driver told me that while they were leading to Union elementary school he intentionally deliver them to union High School as what I have told them but the BDRRMC Committee and the evacuees on the truck reacted that this is not their evacuation site and they should be delivered at Union elementary school their designated evacuation center.

At the evacuation center the evacuees headed in their designated evacuation rooms. The evacuation committee required them to register and signed on the masterlist. As what I observed each zones already know their room assignment. They were all informed of their contingency plan.

Zone 1@ Room 35 with ______evacuees (I hate numbers!)

Zone 2 @ Room 36 with _____evacuees (I will leave this to ate olive)

Zone 3 @ Room 37 with _____ evacuees

They are all quiet and still. Children are not playing but instead praying for their safety they are just sitting while waiting for the other evacuees to arrive. The Evacuation committee was all approachable. They even give lecture to the children. Evacuees are accounted and are properly taking cared of. A boy who was suffering from a headache was provided with medicines and was advised to rest. I heard the MDRRMC ambulance and we were advised that our actress and the pregnant woman were brought to the MDRRMC medical team. There, proper medications and real check up was provided. Moments later we saw the other evacuees approaching the evacuation site at 11:00 AM all evacuees from punta tarawal were already safe and secured. Exchange in communication from the MDRRMC to BDRRMC was continuously going on. Member of the MDRRMC came and asked for the total number of evacuees. The evacuation committee provided him with the most accurate data. It was the very first time I saw an accurate data of evacuees. Everyone is accounted. Everybody was accommodated. There’s no reason for the last scenario to be implemented. How are you supposed to ruin the drill when it is properly done and everybody is doing their job religiously. But at least at the beginning we contracted two mothers to do it.

The MDRRMC Medical Team arrived to check if there were evacuees who need medical attentions. The boy who was suffering from headache was re-checked. There was no other untoward incident that took place.

The relief goods came at exactly 12 in the afternoon just in time for our hungry evacuees. There was no commotion observed each waited for their turn to get their share. It was plain rice and yummy pork adobo. The supply committee informed them that there was enough food for everybody and if they feel like getting an extra rice just inform them.

MDRRMC chairman Evelyn Yu came in and congratulates the BDRRMC for a job well done.

When everybody was full and rested we gathered all the BDRRMC for our drill assessment.

It started off with congratulating everybody for a job well done.

WORDS FROM ATE OLIVE:

Compared to the last drill it was more organized. Moves are systematic. Faster, concise, properly done, with proper coordination, more alert and discipline was there! It was perfect!

MEMBER OF THE BDRRMC:

Unity was instilled in the mind of people whatever political party you are in.

Committed and everybody’s safety is their major concern.

They need to have a permanent evacuation center exclusively for punta tarawal only.

They even complained that during the drill the truck driver deliver them to union high school which is not their designated EC. They even told me that the MDRRMC must orient their truck driver on our designated EC.

That’s where I interrupted and explained to them that what had happen was part of the drill scenario. It was only a mockery. It was done intentionally and the MDRRMC truck driver was hesitant and got no choice but to follow the scenario and congratulated them for being so active and vigilant. That is only to prove of how their awareness that in times of emergency presence of mind is always there. Their contingency plan is very comprehensive and well disseminated. I told them that what I saw was unity of people in the barangay, they have a very functional leader, responsible committee members. And a Very cooperative people that make this drill a success.

From the BDRRMC chair:

They are well versed on what to do on the drill and even scenarios between life and death. He make used of the word adjustable. Do everything you can to strengthen or broaden your resources. What makes them that vigilant is that because of the trainings they have during ACCORD days. He is very thankful for that experiences that makes his barangay and his people to develop a positive response to disaster.

He wanted to have his barangay its own exclusive service boat and asked for ASCEND if they could provide one because what if the disaster happens and his fishing boats are out for fishing. Three of his fishing boats had become the primary transportation in their barangay since he was elected to lead them.

Each committee members are well informed on what to do and had religiously memorized their tasks in times of disaster.

They also asked for a megaphone from the MDRRMC.

 A separate room for the sick, especially for the contagious and communicable one. Ate olive informed them that they need to include them on their contingency plan.

Medical Team:

They asked for medical supplies and kit necessary during emergency.

From the Observer:

70% of your BDRRMC Fund can be utilized to buy the medicines and other tools necessary during emergency.

Evacuees should at least bring their own food and more water during emergency.

The MDRRMC announced that the typhoon is now out of PAR and it is safe to go home. Evacuees clean up their respective EC and prepare themselves to go home. Transportation was provided by the MDRRMC and brought the evacuees back to balongay wharf. It was 14:00 we waited until all of them get in the truck and that’s how the drill ended.

It was time for us to go back to the office and have our lunch. It was worth it. Thanks for another experience. It was nice working with you guys! Congratulations! Guess I am now ready to be transferred in punta tarawal…how was that!

oh wait i havent key in the moments of the MDRRMC....i will put them into photos....

Put yourself in the heart of evacuees. You went off your place to be safe during emergency and when you get to the evacuation center in which you are assigned in you see broken windows and it was raining mad outside the wind is strong and there’s no other space on the EC but on the front of that broken window. How would you feel? Maybe the MDRRMC or the school itself must do something for a complete repair of the school building if it is to be used during emergency. Several windows are broken. Including that near the stairs in which you will pass through before you get to the room. The evacuees will be wet for sure. There’s no sign if the water is potable. Maybe they should place the older evacuees on the first floor because considering their age it is too tiresome if their designated room is on the second floor.  They must provide portalets too.

Lifevest is necessary because most of the evacuees are small children, less they know how to swim!

And one more thing….I thank you for letting my brother feel what it is like to be an evacuee. Hahahha!

It was nice working with riz and ate olive and toate grace…and to you big boss sha…you already!

Cheers!

its not about the money....

Money has become a very crucial aspect of living.   It allows us to provide ourselves with the basic needs of life such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and transportation, as well as forcing us to make realistic choices and place priority on our needs before our wants. For most people in our modern-capitalism world, money is the first thing, and sometimes the only thing that measures success in their life. Money can buy power. Money can buy fame. Money can buy time. Sometimes money can even buy a life. So money has become the first common goal for everybody. However, there is something else that can be the measurement of success in life.

One important thing that defines success in our lives is our careers. With different careers, we will have different goals and measurements of our success. If you are an athlete, your success can be measured by lots of things such as wining tournaments, breaking records, playing in the top league or competing in the Olympics. If you are a scientist, the success in your life will mostly depend on your researches. One line of formula that can prove your theory is true can be the great success in your life. If you are a writer, you will probably succeed if your book gets on the best-selling shelf in the bookstore or if your works get published in a magazine. If you are a musician, playing in the country’s orchestra or a number of your CDs that have been sold can be counted as the measurement of your success. So we can see that another measurement of success in your life besides money is how much you have succeeded in your career.

Success in human life is often measured by numbers. Therefore, everything that can be counted can be used as a measurement. Again, these measurements vary with each career. If you are an athlete maybe it is the number of tournaments or the number of matches you have won. But if you are a writer, it is probably the number of your books that have been sold out or if you are a musician it might be the number of your CDs. Sometimes it could be even a silly thing like the number of girlfriends you have. In fact, it is human nature that we always want to compare ourselves to others. In almost every career there is money involved, and maybe that is the reason why people always look at money as primary measurement of their success - they can easily compare it with the others.

The other measurement of success in our lives is awards. For the scientists one of the greatest accomplishments in their life is to win a Nobel Prize, for the writers there is the Pulitzer award, for actors and actresses there is an academy award, for musicians a Grammy’s and so on. These things are different from the other measurements in that it is judged by other people not ourselves. 

Besides those measurements we can compare them with other people or let other people measure our success, sometimes just accomplishing our wishes or dreams can be measures of success in our lives. So it does not matter that you have won the world championships or just the tournament in your school, working in the biggest company in the country or just set up your small company. If it is your dream, you have already succeeded in your life.

The common goal in people’s life is to be peaceful and happy. Being the richest man in the world does not mean you are the happiest man in the world, although money can buy you happiness sometimes, but not always. So another measurement of success you are in your is how happy your life is. It might be having a warm family and children, having lots of friends or maybe just having someone who truly loves you.

In addition, as times change, the measurement of success in life also changes. For examples, wealth, thing that many people use to judge success in one’s life, is changing when time has passed. Thousands of years ago when humans were still a cavemen, it might have been how big your cave was. Hundreds of years ago it might have been how big your land was. Today it is how much money is in your bank account, so maybe in the future it might be something else. 

The measurement of success in your live can be many things. It just depends on time, what goals you have and who is the one doing the judging Money is just the first common, one but it is not the only one.

Kalam....Sa Piling ng Mga Wala...

How a Filipino family struggles to put food on the table...that was kalam an i witness documentary i saw last night. Mahirap pala talagang maging mahirap. Hindi ko pa naranasang kumain ng kanin lang na walang ulam kundi asin. Sabi ng reporter kapag gutom ka ito ay masarap din. Pano naman naman ang lasa non? Nakasanayan ko na sa lamesa naming maraming pagpipiliang pwedeng kainin. hindi naman kami mayaman ngunit sadyang sapat ang naiuuwing pera ng mga magulang namin. hindi ako nasanay kumain ng tirang ulam kanina gusto ko iba. gusto ko bagong ulam. gusto ko bagong luto. kasi ganito ako mareklamo...maarte...

sadyang hindi yata talaga bukas ang isip ko sa reyalidad. hindi ko alam na pwedeng mangyaring walang pagkain sa ibabaw ng lamesa o kahit tira man lang sa kaldero. ganyan ang estorya kagabi ng isang mag-anak na nakatira sa coastal area ng pilipinas kung saan naitala  ang may pinaka maraming bilang ng malnutrition. kailangan pang makilabada, kumuha ng pang-gatong, humingi o humiram sa kapitbahay para mairaos lang ang isang buong araw. Hindi pinalad makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang mag-asawang may sampung anak sa istorya kagabi. Grade 3 lang ang inabot at kadalasang tumitigil pa sa pagpasok sa eskwela ang ina noon. hindi sya marunong bumasa.  She looked older than her age. Her face and arms seemed far too thin maybe because there isn't enough food for everyone, and i guess often times she and her husband eats last. sabi nya pa, gusto nya lang makakain ng dalawang beses sa isang araw ang mga anak nya. Their family income is derived from catching crabs. aboard on their boat early in the morning the father and her daughter will be off shore to look for the nets they throw on the sea if it has crab unfortunately on that day they only catch one small crab. they got no choice but to sell the crab for five pesos and went home nothing. aside from catching crabs, they used to gather firewoods that they sell among other households. the reporter go with them  and cut woods  for two hours they get enough and was sold for forty-five pesos. It was after  12 p.m. and the family had not eaten since breakfast -. Life is really hard with them but for sure on that day they will have something for lunch. 

naabutan nilang umuwi na ng bahay galing sa eskwela yong ibang bata dahil pinauwi ng teacher para makakain. yong isa masakit ang tyan ngunit dahil malaki na sya humanap sya ng mga shell sa dalampasigan niluto at humingi ng saging at bigas sa kanilang tyang. Among other children i was fond of tomas for he eats anything. His belly is bloated, most likely caused by intestinal worms, and his legs are desperately thin. he doesnt complain but he said he wanted to be a fisherman so they will have more fish on their table. Bryan and her sister is suffering from asthma. All he wanted is coffee for breakfast. I am sad that I am not feeding my family well their father said. "What gives me courage is that I think one day all this suffering will be over, "That helps me keep fighting. I know one day my kids will grow up and help feed our family."

Their oldest child, a 20-year-old daughter, is in school in a large town nearby. The younger boys are still in school, too. But the parents pulled their 17-year-old daughter, out of school to help her mother around the home. "I believe is it just as important for girls to go to school. "The problem is we don't have the means...sabi pa nila.

means...the means....ano nga ba ang sagot sa kahirapan nila. bakit sila mahirap kong nagtatrabaho naman sila? dahil ba sa marami silang anak? hindi pa ba sapat ang kinikita nilang mag-asawa bakit lugaw lang at asin ang nasa hapag kainan nila. swerte na minsan dahil libre sa kapitbahay ang dahon ng malungay. pero di tulad saamin napansin ko lang wala silang mga pananim sa kanilang bakuran dahil kahit dahon ng gabi o kaya'y dahon ng kamote pwede naman silang magtanim pero wala. pero ano ang kailangang gawin para tuldukan ito? kong gutom ka demoralize ka dahil kumakalam ang sikmura mo at gusto mong kumain ngunit wala kang perang pambili. hanga lang ako sa mag-asawa kagabi dahil sa kahit na anong hirap ng buhay ay hindi kailanman sila nagnakaw para maipakain sa kanilang pamilya at sa mga bata na hindi naghahanap ng kung ano. tunay ngang walang kakayaning gawin ang mga kapos dahil marunong silang magtyaga at hindi mareklamo. katangiang wala ako o kahit ang kapatid ko. kailan kaya ako magbabago...yan ang tanong ko kagabi? kaya ko kayang kumain ng lugaw na may asin? kaya ko kayang walang kape katulad ni bryan na nais nya lamang ay kape sa umaga? oo kaya kong kumain ng talbos ng kamote pero ni minsan hindi ko pa nagawang tumikim nito.

iniisip ko naman minsan na pano kong nagkapalit kami ng kapalaran? kasing tyaga din kaya ako nila? kasing husay ko din ba sila? hindi ko sinasadyang maging maarte alam ko yon pero bakit ko kakainin ang ayaw ko at yon ang gusto kong mabago.... sa lugar kong saan ako nakatira walang kahalintulad ni isa man lang si tomas o kaya si bryan o kaya yong mag-asawa.lugar kong saan malayong malayo sa kanila.  kong siguro ang paligid nina tomas ay tulad ng saakin may subsidy sa pagkain, may padalang pagkain, may libreng school, may perang pinapadala, malaki ang sweldo ng mama at papa nya malamang hindi magugutom at hindi iiyak si bryan dahil wala syang kape. hindi na siguro sila kakain ng lugaw na may asin.

i just hope that today they will catch more crabs and get a lot of firewoods so that they will have more for lunch. god bless their family. happy 12 years i-witness!

Respect is...

Nearly anything will earn you respect in the eyes of someone. But only certain things will earn you respect in the eyes of those who are respected. It’s that simple.

Respect: a relation to or concern with something specified; an act of giving particular attention; consideration.

That’s the official definition, but what does it mean to me, good question. What does it mean to me? Respect is something that should be earned not just given. There are a lot of people who do not respect others, and that is one of the things wrong with society today. The gang members who spray graffiti in their own neighborhood on other people’s property, they need to be punished because they show no respect for anyone or anything. Behavior like this probably begins at home.

Many families are single parents only so children are not taught respect in the home as in the past. They learn nothing about values, because there’s no one to teach them. They pick it up from the streets instead. They learn to disrespect themselves by subjecting their bodies to drugs and alcohol. They learn to disrespect others so they can be cool, and not only people but property as well. How do we correct this, don’t know. All we can do is show them respect and hope in some way they can respect us back.

Respect begins with self-respect and then extends to the respect of others. Self-respect occurs only when you listen to yourself and place your opinions and feelings are before others. The more you value yourself, the more you know that you are worth something. The more you listen to your feelings and opinions, the more you know that you are worth something. Self-respect is an important value because its absence reduces self-confidence. If you do not value your emotions or outlook, then who will?

So, true respect is not earned of injuring oneself or breaking the law. The respect earned by that is not true and lasting, because it must be reaffirmed. It is so important for some to be respected that they would to that and more. However, the way to earn respect is to be respectful. Make it an attitude, not a thing given to a person after they have proven themselves. This way, it cannot be demolished by anything but Respect is something that many people would do many things for. Some would die for it, some would endure endless pain and suffering if they thought others would respect them for it. This is seen in the many rituals of gangs and the like, which include cutting, burning, or otherwise injuring oneself, simply to earn respect from other gang members. To me, this is ridiculous. If someone cannot respect you for who you are, than they are not worth the time and effort of earning their respect. A lot of people try to find respect from others because they feel that it is in their religion to respect and be respected

In the case of other people, there is a mix of importance placed on respect. Some people, like myself, depend only on freely given respect that is acquired through normal acts within your general range of behavior, rather than going out of one’s way to impress or earn the respect of someone. Sometimes this is misunderstood as not caring what others think of you to the point where you might behave in a manner that is immoral, illegal, and/or distasteful.

To me, respect means that you listen to someone’s ideas, follow rules that have been established as well as know when to help someone, or ask them if they need help. To respect someone, is not to assume that they are invincible, because that is idol worship, but to be their friend if they need it, to be able to put petty disagreements in the past, to follow their wishes if you have prayed and know it is in their best interest, due to knowledge gained from God. That kind of respect is what is important to me. Respect given for injuring oneself or breaking a rule is fake, faulty, and will not stand the test of time. True respect, is like true love. It is unconditional. It is timeless. Just as true love can never be taken away, respect for a person is always there once established. Trust can be demolished, so can hate, and anger and envy and all other bad or good things in this world, except for love and respect. Love is God, and He will never be gone; Respect is of love, and once you truly respect someone or something, it cannot be taken away. That may be hard to grasp, because usually respect and trust go hand in hand, and I’ve already said that trust can be demolished. However Respect is different than trust. Respect is not just to a person, it can be just something in general. Once it is to supersede the person, and gives way to the total. Real Respect is a state in which you do not defile anyone or for a person, than yes, it can be destroyed of that person. Real Respect is an attitude. It is or anything for your sake. True Respect, real Respect is selfless, because you must give of yourself to respect. This, in turn t yourself if you choose to do so. That is the kind of respect that is important to me, without it, I will never truly feel right, or like myself, as I do now, because I know I have that kind of respect. I earn it by being as respectful as I can, and anyone who will not respect me for that is not someone whose respect I want, because I will only be respectful to earn respect, as that is all I should have to do.