The eight pilot barangays of project PROMISE (Program for Hydro-Meteorological Disaster Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia) attended a three-day early warning system and evacuation planning workshop on August 29 to 31 at the city museum.

The activity intended to increase the knowledge and skills of the pilot areas in flood preparedness and prevention and to guide them to develop a community early warning system and evacuation plan.

"I see some hope in the barangays that are now involved in project PROMISE. I can see your growing sense of awareness that you yourselves have to do things on your own," City Administrator Rafael Baraan said in his talk.

He said that he sees the sense of commitment of the 8 pilot areas to use their inherent capabilities without fully depending on the city government.

Baraan encouraged the pilot barangays to take the lead and continue with the kind of zeal and commitment they are currently demonstrating.

"If this project is the one that will really awaken our people in order to realize that they have something to contribute and that they have the capability to stand on their own, then I will recommend the implementation of PROMISE in all barangays," he declared.

On the first day of the workshop, officers from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) served as resource speakers.

Venus Valdemoro, OIC, Public Information and International Affairs, discussed brief profile of PAGASA and its disaster preparedness program, while Ninio Relox, senior weather specialist, National Disaster Reduction Branch, shared the process of weather forecasting and flow of information and explained the various kinds of hazards. Arturo Ladislao, senior weather specialist, Flood Forecasting Branch, explained how floodwater flows from upstream to downstream.

With the new information, each barangay upgraded and improved its flood hazard and risk map which was produced during the community-based disaster risk management workshop.

Early warning system for flood, typhoon and earthquake and the importance and content of an evacuation plan were explained on the second day.

The third day focused on the initial formulation of early warning system plan and evacuation plan of each barangay.

To ensure successful evacuation operations, each of the pilot barangays were asked to come up with a detailed evacuation plan.

The technical working group from the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) will guide the 8 pilot barangays in the finalization of their respective early warning system and evacuation plans.

The 8 pilot areas for project PROMISE are: barangays Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande, Pogo Grande, Mangin, Salisay, , and Tebeng. (Sunshine D. Robles)