DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: THE DINGLE (ILOILO) MODEL

Two major typhoons within a six years period was enough to put Dingle into a typhoon preparedness mode that enabled it to be prepared better for this latest super howler- Yolanda (International Code Name: Haiyan). Each of the two previous typhoons gave lessons and learning that brought the whole local government unit (LGU) into a higher level and resulted to zero casualty this time. Yet despite the system, “there were still rooms for improvements and unexpected situations not present in the previous calamities”, said its Mayor, Dr. Rufino Palabrica III, popularly addressed by his constituents as Doc Beloy. “This experience is again a lesson for us to further improve our series of protocols on disaster response and mitigation”.

Establishment of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center.

Utilizing one of the buildings in the compound of the municipal hall complex, the LGU set up its DRRMC where equipment and supplies were centralized. On call was bulk order of supplies that was to be delivered by suppliers given a 24 hour notice. These supplies included ready to eat food, easy to cook food, medical supplies and OTC medicines that can be dispensed upon request. Sacks of rice were also ordered from the local millers with the instructions to supply the best quality stocks. Sardines, the most affordable canned food was of the middle level quality, not too expensive and not low quality either. The rationale is that the evacuees are already suffering and to make them suffer more with the low quality rice they will be eating at the center is inhuman.

The Dingle DRRMC was also equipped with tools and equipment for use during disasters like a chain saw and axes, bolos, spades, crow bars and other digging tools wherein they can be withdrawn by authorized personnel upon just before the landfall of a typhoon and readied in the quick response vehicles for instant dispatch.

All LGU equipment that includes two loaders, a road grader, several dump trucks and a bulldozer are ensured to be at tiptop conditions all the time and upon information that an impending typhoon will hit the vicinity of the province, these equipment are doubly checked for operational reliability during clearing and rehabilitation activities.

Days prior to a typhoon a predicted by the national weather agency, PAGASA, The Mayor directs the DRRMC team to make rounds of the whole municipality to inform people and to document the whole municipality as basis for the before-and-after reports that will become a tool that will help the Commission on Audit make an objective assessment of the extent of damage and the cost of rehabilitation. This latter actions has served the LGU well in terms of liquidating its typhoon and disaster related costs and expenses.

Establishment and Commissioning of Barangay Emergency Evacuation Centers:

Right after Typhoon Frank where the municipality witnessed the deluge of evacuees to makeshift evac centers, each of the 33 barangay Chairmen was required by the Chief Executive to identify and fund a permanent evacuation center which is one of the classrooms of their barangay elementary or high school or the barangay hall itself. This evac center was then improved and readied for emergency so that given a moment's notice, its conversion is instant or immediate. In the center will be supplies like water and firewood, basic cooking utensils like big pots and large portable wood stoves. As an SOP, all these barangay-based evac centers were provided with supplies just before the entry of the tyohoon so that food and water is available during the worst period of the howler.

Building locally made boats for rescue operations.

The experience of Frank and Quinta opened the eyes of the LGU to the need for its own rescue boats. Quinta exposed the vulnerability of imported rubber boats popular with the armed forces and the navy. Dingle is full of bamboo stands which have multifarious uses, from food to housing materials and their sharp thorns and ends puncture these rubber boats, not only endangering the occupants but also destroying these expensive equipment. And in times of crisis, the army or the owners of these equipments receive so many calls that more often than not. Dingle is the last to be attended to. This situation drove Dingle to build its own rescue boats, by deciding on the right design and commissioning expert boat makers from a neighboring town to build them.

Brgy. Pandan was hit hard during Typhoon Frank where the leaders were not able to rescue people from the sitios that were isolated by the flood. This made them decide on an appropriate type of boat suited for their needs. A local welder who had previous experience in boat building was commissioned to build a catamaran based on the design that Brgy Chairman Neil Daraug innovated from the air boats of the Florida swamps. The resulting model was highly buoyant and despite its small size can easily carry 15 persons or 20 bags of palay. Its prime mover is a 15HP gas engine driving a propeller based on the design of blowers used to winnow rough rice. The boat can easily maneuver in shallow waters and can beat the strong flood currents rampant in the flooded areas of his barangay.

The success of the catamaran of Brgy. Pandan spawned two other copies built this time by former B member Wilfredo “Boy” Quinlat for the barangays of Ginalinan Nuevo and Abangay. Both saw action in the latest typhoon Yolanda. These two other boats figured prominently in the rescue and distribution efforts of the municipality, particularly in their respective barangays.

Organizing and Training of Rescuers and Responders:

Although Dingle is known to produce champion swimmers, it did not have its own water-bound rescue group until early this year when there was an unfortunate drowning incident where even the police was not able to respond to the drowning victims. Have they had the appropriate training, the drowning victims could have been saved. A group of Dingleanon expert swimmers and rescue trainors volunteered to train the volunteers identified by their respective barangay chairmen. Each barangay along Jalaur River sent their teams for a three days training that included water search and rescue and how to manage drowning victims. A set of call-up protocols was also drafted by the different teams and the overall management for call ups was in the hands of the head of the DRRMC.

More than 80 volunteers signed up and were trained. This effort paid off well during the recent typhoon where within minutes of the call up, each rescue team was already positioned in their respective barangays ready for emergencies. They also helped during the clearing operations where countless of trees fell mostly across roads and trails so that communities can immediately be reached either for flood related rescue or to carry in food and other supplies for the starving people.

Procurement of a high amperage generator.

The most crucial among the decisions of the municipal government was the procurement of a high generator, capable of generating power for the varied needs of the municipal hall and the health center so that even during massive black outs, the LGU can still operate and respond to the needs of the residents. While brown outs were a regular occurrence in the ILECO served areas in the province, the black out due to the massive damage to the power lines, rendered the whole town powerless. The first action done by the LGU was to open the doors of the hall to provide free cellphone and computer charging so that residents can charge portable lights, cell phones and other electronic gadgets.

The LGU was not only able to secure its premises with the bright lights around the municipal buildings, the lights also served as beacon for the residents in search of power and light during the pitch black situation for several nights after the typhoon.

Standard Operating Procedures:

Also crucial in the operation of the DRRMC is the institutionalization of the set of SOPs to be followed during disasters and emergency operations. These SOPs were regularly reviewed and drilled so that during actual conditions, execution would be smooth and automatic. Immediately after conditions have normalized, the new experiences will have to be added and a manual will now be formally written and launched.

Yolanda's Impact and How the DRRMC Acted:

While the government weather agency gave ample warnings about the strength of Yolanda, the residents and the LGU of Dingle was surprised by the actual wrath of the super typhoon. The howler hit the town so badly that many thought it was the end. GI sheets and even whole roofs flew. Strongly standing mahogany trees everywhere were felled with just a few gusts. Many trees and coconuts fell right on the houses. It was only after a day that flood waters started to rise which created even greater damage to flood prone communities. In Sitio Tampi, as always, water reached roof tops and this time though, the DRRMC was prepared to evacuate the roof-bound residents.

But the Dingle DRRMC underestimated this super typhoon. While it has its own chain saw, the need for many more surfaced right after Yolanda left. The sheer number of trees fallen on the roads and trails was such that there should be immediate action so that the roads are made passable and the town accessible for aid and for supply replenishment. So the LGU had to hire 4 more chain saws so that work on the roads will be faster.

The day after the howler, the LGU directed its personnel to do damage assessment and to determine the number of residents affected. The barangay chairmen were required to report by the hour for updates using every possible means to make contact. While damage assessment was being done, key personnel were also assessing where the the LGU and the DRRMC was weak so that it can immediately be rectified and new protocols and systems can be designed to meet these weaknesses better the next time.

While the rescuers, concerned citizens and LGU personnel worked hard, the LGU opened a soup kitchen that provided basic food and unlimited coffee 24 hours in support of the workers. The evac centers' supplies were also constantly replenished so that evacuees would not go hungry. Anticipation of the extent of damage and supply needs enabled the LGU to meet the requirements of the emergency.

Security was tightened so that no looting would occur. With everybody busy, the LGU did not anymore seek the help of the Army stationed in the municipality which had its hands full helping other more critical towns and communities.

Critical activities in the aftermath of the typhoon was carefully and deliberately mapped. First order was road clearing while simultaneously, food was provided to all evacuees. When flood waters continued to rise, the boats were positioned for immediate response and one boat was dispatched to supply flood bound residents in communities made inaccessible by the rising waters. Barangays which had their own rescue boats were also hard at work rescuing isolated families some of whom are already perched on top of their houses. This was where the catamarans were appreciated at it can get right to the spot where the residents were perched without fear of being punctured or capsized.

The LGU also did rapid assessment and immediately called for help to an NGO which had been supporting the town in various ways. Immediately the NGO released GI sheets and other roofing materials so that many of the evacuees can go home and repair their homes to protect themselves from possible rains that come after the typhoon. The LGU also released funds from its disaster relief assistance to cover more residents affected. It is now six days after the super typhoon and LGU has restored the town to 70% of its normal state. No lives were lost, there was substantial damage but together with its people, the LGU hopes to accomplish full restoration within a short period of time.

Lessons Learned:

1. Never underestimate the strength and the damage done by a typhoon. Even with the experience of the two previous strong howlers in just a few years of each other, the LGU realized that each typhoon has a distinct character and its damage may also be unique. While Frank and Quinta flooded the town heavily, the strong winds of Yolanda fell down so many trees that practically rendered many of the barangay centers and even the plaza bald. Where once the town was known as shady and green, the aftermath of the typhoon brought in harsh bright sunlight. The LGU has prepared in almost all aspects but when Yolanda left, the first work was to clear the roads of fallen trees and the LGU was not prepared for this since it only has acquired one chain saw and its heavy equipment operator doubled as chain saw operator so he has to leave the bulldozer to work on road clearing. The lesson learned here is that the DRRMC should also get chain saws ready for fallen trees;
2. Power outages is a regular phenomena during typhoons so while the municipal building has a generator and ample fuel, other areas experience black out. There is therefore a need to find alternative sources like solar power which runs on 12 volts batteries and can also be recharged using the chargers run on 220 volts AC;
3. While purified water can be bought, power outages will limit purification because water purification systems need power. There is a need for passive water purification akin to those used in war torn areas where dirty water can be purified through a series of passive systems. The DRRMC should be able to acquire such a system for emergency situation;
   
4.  We still have crude equipments and our rescuers suffer most. They do not have the right gears especially thermal clothes to keep them warm during long exposure to water and cold wind. They suffer the most and they are volunteers;

   
   

   5. High technology may work efficiently at optimum conditions but under crisis like a power black out, it is useless. This was the case of high tech gadgets and communications systems which were rendered inutile during the total power outage when trees fell on power lines and electric posts fell on its own. The LGU realized that it should have set up a back up system of the old reliable radio transceivers. Now in preparation for the next crisis, the repeaters will have to be repaired and reinstalled. Each barangay will now be required to acquire their own hand-held transceivers for easy communication with the municipal base located at the DRRMC.

ORGANIC PURPLE RICE FARMERS IN ZARRAGA, ILOILO

Shifting to organic rice farming had been a long arduous struggle for Mr. Osmundo Pedregosa and his neighbors in Brgy. Talibong, Zarraga, Iloilo. Being in the midst of hundreds of hectares of rice grown on conventional farming methods, it was a difficult shift not only in technology but also in the basic farming paradigms for the core group of farmers wanting to change for the better. Tatay Munding as he is popularly called not only because he was among the most senior in his group but also because of the leadership that he

always provided realized early that while he can convince the members of his core group to try and test the organic farming method being pushed by government technicians, their neighbors are not only hesitant and rather, they immediately rejected the new ideas and technology. “Organic rice farming involve more effort and expenses and the income increment may not be substantial and commensurate to the effort, as consumers may not immediately respond favorably to added prices or premiums that organic products are supposed to enjoy”, said Munding in response to the question on the marketability of organic rice. “They knew it was good for the health but the extra cost seems to be the limiting factor for them to make organic rice their staple”.

Organic rice production do not use easily bought or accessed chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides which had been fund to be poisonous to health of humans and animals. There are also chemicals used in farming that can affect humans even if they were ingested by animals because of the residues in the animals' liver and tissues are also accumulated in the internal organs of people ingesting these animals.

The technology on organic rice farming was introduced to the group at Talibong by the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office led by the team from the Research and Institutional Development Division headed by Mr. Elias Sandig. Early on, the team responded to the call of the Regional Field Unit VI of the Department of Agriculture headed by RED Larry Nacionales. The Iloilo PAO transferred the various technologies for Natural Farming like the preparation of various concoctions like the Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Oriental herbal Nutrients (OHN), Fish/Kuhol Amino Acid (FAA/KAA). They also taught the group on other aspects like bio-security, biological pest control and other eco-friendly technologies so as to minimize pest infestation and contamination of toxic chemical in the rice products.

Indeed the efforts to shift to organic farming bore fruit but when harvest came in and the rice produced have to be sold, Tatay Munding and his core group encountered marketing problems. Consumers and traders simply treated their organic product in the same category as conventionally grown rice. They were hesitant to buy the more expensive organic red and purple rice. Red and purple rice are like the ordinary white rice sold except for the red/purple pigmentation that is said to add anti-oxidant action that boosts the immune system especially for weak people and those suffering from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cancer. But such properties are not appreciated by the majority of consumers who were offered by the group.

“We had a hard time introducing our organic rice in the market and we were happy that the Provincial Agriculture Office again stepped in where the technologists assigned also helped sell our rice in one (1) kilogram bags”, said Munding. Well-meaning advocates especially media, also helped by spreading the word that there is now organic rice available in Iloilo City. The group now known as the Talibong Organic Farmers' Association (TaOFA), registered with the Department of Labor and Employment also joined fairs and exhibits to showcase their organic rice. Somehow their inventory moved but every season they still have to sell the bulk of their products at the price of ordinary rice just to recover costs and have money for the next season's operations.

When the organic farming act (RA 10068) was signed, Pedregosa and his association welcomed this as this would be the vehicle by which they can finally ride to better times. But they then found that they encountered even more problems. It became more difficult for them to get their products certified as organic. The law provided for certain agencies and institutions as sole certifying agencies where have to pay at least P30,000.00 for their farms and their products to be certified as truly organic. Of course being Filipinos, and Ilonggos at that, their spirit of hospitality would mean added expenses for the group whenever the visitors come for evaluation. They said that they have no problems about following and institutionalizing the protocols in organic farming. Even additional requirements such as filter ponds to ensure that all chemicals can be filtered or rendered inactive, can be built. But the yearly fees as well as the hustle to get their farms certified may not be worth the effort. Good for rich farmers and corporations going into organic farmers but for them who can barely make both ends meets, such fees and long processes will easily disqualify them to be certified as truly organic. They said that they would rather stick to their existing protocols of natural farming and thus qualify their products as natural instead of organic.

“We were happy when the law was passed and the Department provided us with many opportunities to attend trainings and seminars on organic farming and how we can sell in the market. But it seems that the first step which is to ensure that our organic products qualify is the most expensive and the most difficult at the certifying agency nearest to us is in Negros and just imagine the expense incurred bringing them here. We don't object to the requirements which I think we can all fulfill or meet. We hope that the law can be more humane for us poor farmers”.

Their initial success and the unity they showed has given them attention and other farmers nearby are now gravitating towards them since they are now envious of the the successes they have achieved. From the funds they generated internally , they were able to buy their own mini rice mill and then invested in a bigger mill so that it can accommodate larger volumes when orders pour in. Being evaluated as strong and capable, the DA-RFU6 provided them with other equipment such as hand tractors, threshers and lately, a transplanting machine which answers their need for a speedy transplanting operation now that farm labor has become scarce and expensive. The members of TAOFA has accepted the recommendation of the Department for synchronized crop establishment and thus, transplanting should be simultaneous. “We are happy that DA is very supportive. We accept their technology of synchronous planting but if we need to plant our 60 hectares within the week, we need at least 100 people to do the work for the next seven to eight days, an impossible task to gather. The machine can help us as it would cut down the number of people we need to transplant our area within the small time frame needed for synchronous planting.

By the start of 2013, the group has now about 35 members and are tilling at least 60 hectares. New members have also started applying. Their market has gradually grown and can absorb more than 50% of their collective produce. Marketing is now both institutional and by each members who have found markets on their own, a move that they have also encouraged. Their activities and perseverance to pursue organic farming also caught the attention of many agencies, foremost is the DA-RFU6 that they became recipient of grants and aid such as machinery for rice farming. As early as 2008 however, Tatay Munding had invested on a small rice mill that can dehusk palay and preserve its purple color fully.

Yet they consider their success as just the first step. They still are continuously working for better yields, better varieties which are in much demand in the market and a stable premium market which can absorb the 200 metric tons of palay they produce collectively every season. With new members coming in, they project that their total produce would reach t least 300 metric tons in late 2013.

“While we are now mildly successful, we are still striving for more, hoping that we as a group will be able to grow together, provide better futures for our children and most of all, provide the consumers with safe, nutritious rice that we all deserve”, concluded Tatay Munding.

PICTURES:

01- Tatay Munding in green polo together with officers of TAOFA pausing in front of the mini rice mill with the larger mill's snout seen at the back;

02- A sumptuous meal of purple rice and “chicken binakol”, an Ilonggo chicken dish shared by the officers during their monthly meeting;

03- a one kilogram pack of purple rice

MAKING A SMALL INTEGRATED FARM

Having been invited by RMN DYRI in Iloilo City to become a resource person for its farming-oriented radio segment every night Monday to Saturday has challenged me to put up my own small farm. My design is such that it should contain all the features that I talk about like organic farming, modern urban gardening including hydroponics or the culture of vegetables and plants in a water media. It should also be integrated so that there will be as many  income streams as possible.

Starting the small farm.

I asked by sibling and my mother to allow me the use of our vacant lot at Muyco St. in Brgy. Poblacion in our home town, Dingle, Iloilo. The lot used to have two semi permanent houses put up by previous leasees and only the core structures made of concrete has remained. The whole lot was overgrown with fast growing trees and shrubs and in all, I must have spent more than P60,000.00 just to clear and have enough space for planting as well as places for cages and pens. The main building and other structures cost me another P180,000.00 but by the time I finished I had four rain shelters to grow vegetables year round and a main house for meetings and conferences as well as lecture area in case there would be farmers interested to learn how I am doing things.


After the structures, I decorated the fence lines with discarded soft drink bottles cut in half and filled with garden soil then planted first with pechay (bok choi) then leaf onions on the next round. I ensured constant fertility with regular (weekly) watering of liquid fermented manure and live microorganisms using the Japanese and Korean Natural Farming System Technology.

I established a multi layer bed on the first two rain shelters where the top bed was filled with about 5 inches of rich garden soil and planted with lettuce. On the first rain shelter, I established hydroponics boxes using the UP Los Banos technology where the scientists have formulated a stable set of compounds for passive hydroponics. A solution of ten liters poured into the box would suffice to grow 15 to 20 lettuce plants from seedlings to maturity. I seeded a red type of lettuce because of its famed anti-cancer property. My first harvest in the last week of February 2013 yielded about 700 grams of lettuce. Some of the harvested lettuce were just cut off at the second node to see if they will grow again so that I would not need to replant or establish new seedlings which is the most expensive input.


Next I enriched the soil of the third and fourth rain shelters. I planted lettuce on the center while the sides were planted with a mix of squash, tomatoes and amaranth. Between these plants, I established basil and oregano which will act as repellant for the pests that attack squash and tomatoes. The squash will later grow and reach the top just below the plastic and crawl all over to provide partial shade for the lettuce.

I have pruned the iba tree and it has started to profusely bear fruits which I am now harvesting to use as fermented fruit juice and to add to the compost pile and make it rot or decompose faster. I have also started to harness the manure of my chickens and use this as fertilizer for the garden. Meanwhile, I have shipped about 30 heads of chickens to Sabah before the conflict and my buyers were exceedingly happy with the results of their purchase and could have bought more had the conflict not escalated. But of course, I was happier with the volume of the dung produced before I sent that batch off. (To be Continued).