Villages gear up for disaster risks

BAGUIO CITY — More than a hundred communities in the Cordillera region are being prepared to better withstand disasters as the Department of Social Welfare and Development completes its resilience planning workshop for local disaster response teams.

Through its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services program, the DSWD Cordillera trained members of Barangay Resilience Teams (BRTs) and Municipal Resilience Teams (MRTs) under the “Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project” modality.

Held from 2 to 31 July, the training reached 135 barangays in 10 municipalities across Abra, Apayao, Benguet and Mountain Province, strengthening community-based approaches to disaster preparedness and recovery.

The program was conducted in partnership with local Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and the Bureau of Fire Protection, with participants trained to identify hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to reduce disaster risks.

The sessions also highlighted how climate change, land use, and construction practices can affect the severity of natural hazards. Participants gained practical knowledge on disaster preparation, emergency response, recovery measures, and basic first aid.

BRT members, composed of community volunteers, serve as frontliners in implementing local resilience initiatives, while MRT members provide coordination and technical guidance in municipal planning.