‘Purok’ system Cebu’s first line of defense vs disasters, calamities
CEBU CITY – Strengthening the ‘purok’ system or community-based disaster risk and reduction management initiatives is the key to having zero casualties during disasters and calamities.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III highlighted the vital role of the barangay ‘purok’ system when he addressed the over 200 local disaster risk reduction management officers (LDRRMOs) who attended the 3rd Purok System Learning Conference recently.
“Disaster preparedness starts at home and in our puroks, that is why I really encourage the strengthening of our purok systems,” he added.
“Kon lig-on ang purok nato, mas mulig-on ang barangay. Kon mulig-on ang barangay mas mulig-on ang lungsod. Lig-on sila tanan, mas mulig-on atong komunidad sa Sugbu (When the ‘puroks’ are storng, the barangays become stronger. When barangays are strong, towns and cities become stronger too. Every local unit is stronger, then we have stronger communities in Cebu province),” Davide said.
Baltazar Tribunalo, provincial disaster risk reduction management officer said that since 2014, the ‘purok’ system has been established in the municipalities of Tuburan, Moalboal, Alcantara, Daanbantayan, Boljoon, San Francisco, Liloan and the city of Carcar.
“We have already organized 47 DRRM Purok systems in the entire province of Cebu and we will continue until all puroks in the barangays are organized and well established,” Tribunalo added.
Tibunalo added that the conference allowed some LDRRMOs to share best practices and experiences on how communities responded and coped during disasters.
“The ‘Purok’ system management makes vulnerable communities more resilient. It also empowers community leaders to become more responsible and we have seen the spirit of volunteerism and nationalism working well at that level” Tribunalo said.
He added that the PDRRM Office regularly conducts training and organizes a purok emergency response team which in turn trains the locals on disaster preparedness and other issues on safety and DRRM strategies. (Minerva Bc Newman)