News and Features
Tsunami Risk Fuels Preparedness In Diatagon
[January 2007/ Manila] - For a coastal barangay like Diatagon in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, water is the primary source of life and sustenance. The town consists of over 6,000 residents, many of whom are fishermen. With a whole stretch of houses fronting the sea and the town market located along the seashore, Diatagon's inhabitants remain very close to their main source of livelihood. This proximity is not always desirable, considering the devastation that water can bring.
"Because of the news of disasters that hit coastal towns over the past years, our community has always been on the alert in order to be prepared for a calamity—whether it is caused by flood or tsunami,” says Barangay Chairman Fernando Edwin Balili Jr., whose family and friends also live by the coastline.
Diatagon is a low-lying coastal area with multiple rivers and creeks, making it flood-prone during the rainy season, when floods can last more than a week. These weaken the town's land structure, which consists of limestone. But the main threat to the barangay lies beneath the seabed, where the Lianga Fault can trigger an earthquake, which can then spawn a tsunami.
Because of the area's attributes and the fact that Diatagon has more residents than Lianga (the town proper), it is "the most suitable candidate for the pilot barangay of Project Ready,” says Patrick Alain S. Callanta, Provincial Coordinator of the Surigao del Sur Office of Civil Defense.
It was, thus, a most welcome development to Diatagon when it was selected to participate in Project Ready, along with other communities in 27 high-risk provinces. Project Ready is a disaster-preparedness initiative that seeks to prepare high-risk provinces in the untimely event of a calamity, natural disasters and/or other emergencies. It is made possible through the collaboration of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NMRIA), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and local government units.
“Project Ready was already a success in collaboration, since it brought together the best people from several government agencies, as well as the support of Filipino companies like Smart and international organizations,” says Ishmael Narag, a leading Phivolcs seismologist. The project is supported by Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART), AusAid, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and South-South Cooperation (SSC).
Last December, Diatagon's residents got a taste of Project Ready's lectures, which educate ordinary people to help prevent the confusion that occurs during calamities. The residents packed the Diatagon Gym for a series of talks on "Tsunami Hazards and Precautionary Measures". Speakers from Phivolcs also discussed clear-cut evacuation plans.
Since the barangay was well-represented during the lectures, even small children had a chance to participate. Phivolcs' Engr. Erlinton Antonio B. Olavere asked the youngest members of the audience where they should go when they hear the warning bells. “Diatagon Elementary School!” the children shouted eagerly. “Doon po sa school sa tuktok ng bundok (To the school at the top of the mountain),” they added, pointing at the general direction of the school.
The Philvolcs team, headed by Jane Punongbayan, and the Smart team also briefed the residents on what to do during their tsunami drill. Lianga Mayor Felino Pantaleon, the barangay council, and local police and military provided the necessary support. Using the church bell and three batingaw or early warning devices donated by Smart, Project Ready commenced the drill in Diatagon.
The batingaw plays a key role in the community-based early warning system set up under the project. During times of disaster, a duly authorized official, in Diatagon's case Chairman Balili, strikes the batingaw to warn residents that it is time to flee to the pre-selected evacuation center. Smart donated a total of 100 units of batingaws fashioned out of recycled acetylene tanks to be distributed by Project Ready to different communities.
Upon hearing the signal, Diatagon's residents exited their homes and business establishments en masse and proceeded to the assigned evacuation center. They followed directional markers and passed through the best routes leading to Diatagon Elementary School, the highest point in the area.
Diatagon's residents know well the importance of disaster-preparedness. Students at the elementary school got ready for the program weeks in advance. And parents like Lenie Monteila made certain to bring their children along.
"I am quite thankful that there’s a government project for this kind of calamity. Since my husband is away on duty, I am left with our son Joshua," says Monteila, whose spouse is in the military. “I will just follow the drill and cooperate fully because it is also for our own good. We live by the shores of Diatagon.”
With 95% of the residents present during Project Ready's lectures and drill, it was clear that most people shared Monteila's sentiments. As Chairman Balili told his fellow barangay residents at the start of the program, "Listen very carefully as this will save our lives." @
