Recently, Typhoon Bising wreaked havoc in Eastern Visayas, especially in the province of Northern Samar. If there is one thing that the residents of Barangay Erenas in Victoria Northern Samar are grateful for during the Typhoon Bising, it is the fact that they have built a sea wall strong enough to protect their village from the big sea waves.
This was echoed by Michelle Igloso, one of the residents of Erenas. Before the sea wall was built, past typhoons caused great damage to their houses and drenched their belongings.
Moreover, it brought constant distress and worry to them due to the threats of typhoons pummeling the area. More than the danger that it would ravage their houses again, they feared that it would eventually cost their lives, she said.
Opportunity from DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS
It was the hope of the residents to keep their families, and community fully protected and safe from the big waves. Thus, when they got the opportunity to build a sea wall, they grabbed it.
With fund support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Kalahi-CIDSS program, the community collectively identified and built 116 linear meter sea wall in the year 2015. In 2017, the community received additional funding for another program cycle wherein the village folks decided to extend their sea wall to another 36 linear meters.
The 154 linear meter sea wall which was completed with a total budget cost of PhP 2.6 Million, and still stands solid-rock up to the present time. 625 households are benefiting from the project.
Igloso reported that the barangay local government unit (BLGU) and the community have allocated funds for the operation and maintenance of the sea wall in order to sustain it.
Hence, the barangay will immediately repair any cracks it sustained. Further, every Saturday the community observes cleaning around the surroundings of the sea wall.
Community involvement in disaster –preparedness
Michelle Igloso underscored that the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, through its community-driven development strategy, did not just fund projects but also provided her and their community a lot of learnings.
One of the greatest gains they received from the program is the fact that it strengthened their local resilience through involving them in project implementation, and provided them the opportunity to improve their capacity to withstand and adapt to any calamities as a family and as a community.
On volunteerism
Michelle Igloso started volunteering under the program in year 2019. She was hesitant to participate before. But she felt encouraged when she saw how other community volunteers who preceded her, were able to lead the community in implementing project interventions that would address their local needs like for example the sea wall.
Last year, the community, with another fund support from Kalahi-CIDSS, realized a project which include Protective Personal Equipment (PPE), communication devices, and amenities to make their quarantine facility fully functional, in an effort to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.
Igloso shared how happy she is that she actually helps her community amidst the pandemic, even in her simple way of volunteering.
