Barangay Development Projects

The barangay, Bakakeng Central, has several development projects. Some of these are the House Numbering Program, Improvement and Concreting of Canal at Bengao, Barangay
Social/GEAD/Nutrition/Seniors/Health Program among others. Since the barangay Bakakeng Central has been identified as a geo-hazard area, there are several development projects that are solely focused on geo-hazards. Some development projects specially directed at improving geo-hazard areas are declogging of Crystal Cave caves which costs 2,000,000Php, Improvement and Concreting of Canal at Bengao which costs 200,000Php, Concreting of Creek/Waterways Along Crystal Cave which also amounted to 10,000,000Php, and the Concreting of Drainage in Sto. Nino which costs 200,000Php (see appendix). Crystal Cave is one of the natural drainage systems in the area and which the Kapitan likened to a flush. Other development projects possibly relevant to disaster management are the many road development projects such as the concreting of Bengao Roads, concreting of Sto. Nino, asphalting of identified road within the barangay and concreting of Lower Kitma. Road projects could improve access to a community and make relief operations easier and more efficient in times of disaster.

During the Pepeng and Ondoy typhoons, emergency responses to the community came from the residents, government agencies, as well as non-government organizations based inside and outside the area. However, the problem encountered by the community response team was not concerning manpower but equipments that were needed in taking action to disasters. This led to their assessment that their barangays disaster management program is still incapable of addressing the needs of the residents during disasters.

Prior to the typhoons, their framework was basically emergency management or a reactive approach to disaster. The barangay responded to disasters simply by contacting available residents during times of immediate need. Many residents are cooperative in this activity yet equipments are not available in the barangay center. The volunteers and concerned residents were asked to bring any available equipment that can be used for rescue operations. They also coordinate with different disaster response agencies such as City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC), National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Nongovernment organizations are also actively giving their support to Barangay Bakakeng Central. Churches (Catholic and Born Again living in the area) and Buddhists (under Chinese chamber of commerce) provide some help in the relief operations which are usually better than the government groups. Recently, because of this problem encountered, the barangay devised a new way in responding to disaster operations. They are now trying a new framework in responding to disasters. They are now proactive in a sense that there were different delegations for disaster management headed by Barangay Chairperson Alicia Pacsi Dizon assisted by action officers Kgd. Ariel Amino and Chief Tanod Wilfredo Cruz. They mobilize different teams: Information, Relief and Welfare Team, headed by Kgd. Felisa Rivera; Rescue, Evacuation and Equipment Team led by Tanod Aristotle Amino; Medical and First Aid Team led Andrea Sat L. Lauana; Security Team headed by Tanod Efren Hortillano; and Damage Control Team led by Tanod Samuel Forto. The Disaster Management Plan by Barangay Bakakeng Central is still in the making. They were supported by the city government by giving them 900, 000Php last February 02, 2010. An international club from Japan namely the Lions Club donated some equipment such as helmets and rope.