PhilPrep’s Focus and First Field Visit: Understanding Local Disaster Challenges
The Philippine Preparedness Partnership (PhilPrep) is focusing on two thematic areas for its locally led initiatives: Strengthening forecast-based, locally led early warning and early action systems to reach at-risk mile communities; Enabling learning exchange and communication of best practices.
On February 21, 2025, the PhilPrep team conducted its first courtesy visit to two barangays in Tarlac City, the capital of the province bearing its name which is located in the bustling plains of Central Luzon. The visit came as a result of multiple productive meetings, the most significant being with the City’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) on February 18.
The field visit to the two barangays of Tarlac City—San Isidro and Tibag—aimed to assess and better understand the unique challenges these communities face in terms of disaster preparedness and flood management. The visit engaged directly with local leaders and residents, gaining insight into their current vulnerabilities, past experiences with disaster interventions, and specific needs. By fostering open communication and collaboration, PhilPrep seeks to tailor its interventions to the barangays’ realities, ensuring that the planned initiatives are both relevant and sustainable in enhancing their resilience to hydrometeorological hazards.
Tarlac City: An Overview
Disaster Preparedness and Early Warning Systems
Tarlac City has a functioning Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan, which includes an Early Warning System. However, the city acknowledges that its current system, designed primarily for typhoons and related hazards, requires reassessment in light of the forecasts provided by PAGASA (the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration).
The city has several tools in place to monitor and warn residents about potential hazards:
- A manual rain gauge
- An automated weather station
- Flood meters, referred to as “Colors of Beauty and Safety,” which are painted by local barangays near bodies of water
- A warning siren on top of the City Hall
- Painted flood indicators on bridges and irrigation dams
- Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials
Dissemination of Warnings
Flooding has been a consistent risk in Tarlac City, and the city government follows a cyclical system for warning and disseminating information across its jurisdiction. The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC), the smallest disaster management body in the country, gathers data using tools such as flood meters. This data is then forwarded to the CDRRMO, which consolidates the information, analyzes the situation, and issues recommendations for action to the city government.
The city government uses various methods to disseminate information and warnings, including:
- SMS (Short Message Service)
- Social media platforms like Facebook
- Two-way radios
Adherence to National Standards
In addition to local efforts, Tarlac City also follows national standards set by the government’s hydrometeorological agency. This includes:
- Tropical cyclone warning systems and corresponding actions for each level of severity
- Rainfall warning classifications
The city continuously reviews its response capabilities through drills, called After-Action Reviews, to assess the effectiveness of its emergency responses, including evacuation processes such as:
- Alert levels
- Designated pick-up points
Barangays in Focus: San Isidro and Tibag
The CDRRMO, during the meeting, recommended the barangays of Tibag and San Isidro as the most vulnerable to hydrometeorological hazards. These areas are directly adjacent to the river and have experienced intense flooding in recent years, a situation unprecedented in the city’s typically arid region. Residents noted that the severity of recent floods was comparable only to those experienced three decades ago.
An interesting local indicator of impending flooding is the proliferation of water lilies in the river, which are washed downstream into the Agno River system, a major watercourse in the province of Pangasinan. This phenomenon, along with the flooding, has influenced how locals perceive disaster preparedness and response.
Barangay San Isidro
The PhilPrep team’s first visit was to Barangay San Isidro, where the team was warmly welcomed by local officials (councilors). The team provided an introduction to the project, outlining its primary goals and the methods it plans to use to achieve these objectives. During the discussion, the conversation shifted from the Barangay’s profile—which includes general merchandise, commercial establishments, and agricultural activities—to their past experiences with interventions from previous organizations. The barangay leaders shared that previous initiatives failed because there were no consultations with the community. As a result, the plans were imposed from the top down and were not suited to the barangay’s immediate conditions and needs. The Barangay Administrator expressed appreciation for the PhilPrep team’s approach, noting that it was different and more inclusive, with the team prioritizing local needs.
The councilors mentioned that flooding is a constant issue in the barangay, particularly during extended periods of rainfall, as water flows from the river. At present, the barangay’s approach to flood management is entirely reactive, only addressing potential inundation when it occurs.
Barangay Tibag
Next, the team visited Barangay Tibag, located on the opposite side of the N55 highway (Romulo Highway). The welcome here was just as warm. This barangay is more agricultural in nature, with 70% of the population engaged in farming. Like Barangay San Isidro, local officials (councilor and barangay secretary) expressed both gratitude and concern regarding past interventions.
The barangay leaders noted that an existing infrastructure project funded by the National Government had inadvertently worsened the flooding situation in the area. However, Tibag takes a proactive approach to disaster response. The local council is highly involved during flooding events, with even the highest-ranking official wading into waist-deep water to oversee rescue missions and assist residents.
Pending DRRM Plan Reviews
Both Barangay San Isidro and Barangay Tibag currently have pending reviews of their respective Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Plans. This is a key part of the upcoming intervention by the PhilPrep team, which will focus on planning, formulating, and executing interventions that will be sustainable and continued by the barangays themselves.
Conclusion
The PhilPrep team’s visit to Barangays San Isidro and Tibag in Tarlac City marks an important step in fostering locally led disaster preparedness and early warning systems. By engaging directly with local leaders and residents, PhilPrep has gained valuable insights into the specific challenges these communities face, particularly in terms of flood management and early warning systems. The partnership between PhilPrep and the barangays aims to build sustainable, community-driven interventions that not only address immediate risks but also empower locals to take ownership of their disaster resilience. As PhilPrep continues its work in Tarlac and other vulnerable communities, its commitment to strengthening locally led early warning systems and facilitating knowledge exchange will be key to enhancing the overall disaster preparedness of at-risk communities across the country.
