Category Archives: Project Updates

A Case Study of Local Champions owning participative planning to build local resilience

^{Authored by Ritchie Bugaoisan and Kevin Lee
November 28, 2024}

Summary

Vitol Foundation funded ASDSW to implement the BRITE program in Catanduanes in 2022/2023. The BRITE program uses design thinking and human-centered design principles to engage the community and the barangay to determine its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan. The format of the final plan is compliant with government formats. It is then reviewed and integrated into municipal-level DRRM plans.

This program was piloted in Puerto Princesa City as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and then rolled out in Roxas Palawan also funded by Vitol Foundation. Note that the piloting of this program was funded by Arche Nova and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints.

In all 3 project sites the municipal and city governments noted a marked improvement in the plans that were submitted and are now monitoring project, program and activities being actually implemented. ASDSW also visited barangays in Roxas when they had a potential typhoon and noted that at the barangay and municipal level there was an improvement in pre-onset preparations and mobilization. The linkages between the barangays and the municipal governments was improved.

In October 2024 Typhoon Kristine impacted Catanduanes. Though not as heavily affected as by Typhoon Rolly ASDSW still conducted an assessment and talked to some of the BRITE partners.

Overall it was found that the coordination between the barangays and the municipal level was much improved as was the barangays response. People knew their roles and responsibilities, and communicated much more effectively with the different levels of government. They also felt that they were better able to handle the situation even without outside assistance.

The Municipality of Baras has been the most effective implementer of the program and has institutionalized the process and has also seen the results. In the past if a Typhoon was approaching only 4-6 barangays would conduct a council meeting to organize anticipatory action and report to the municipality actions and issues. As typhoon Kristine approached 29 out of 29 barangays conducted meetings and reported.

The following document illustrates the impact of this capacity building program.

Baras, Catanduanes a Champion of BRITE

The second phase of implementation of BRITE in Catanduanes was with the new municipalities of Baras, Gigmoto, and expansion in the municipalities of San Miguel and San Andres. The municipality of Baras has resulted in the entire municipality participating even though the initial target was just 5 barangays.

The implementation in Baras was with the five pilot barangays namely Brgy. Caragumihan, Salvacion, Batolinao, San Miguel and Guinsaanan. The training was being facilitated by both, ASDSW and the MDRRMO Baras who actively participated and then led the subsequent trainings. This was led by the MDRRMO training officer Mr. Frances Ramirez who also spearheaded the coordination and preparation of the training resulting in a high level of commitment by participating barangays.

During the pilot barangays Mr. Frances and his team realized that the CDRRM planning process which is the government standard only included the Brgy. Captain, Secretary and Treasurer. They have observed that the involvement of the community during the crafting of the plan was actually the key to identify and address issues. Mr. Frances and his team reported this observation to Engr. Khalil M. Tapia MDRRMO department head.

After we do the implementation of the program in the pilot barangays in a municipality there is a test of whether we’ve been successful. Are the municipality going to continue with the process or will it remain a pilot that did not scale. The ones that don’t scale often quote time and available staffing for not scaling. In many of the places we have worked they have scaled, including some of the initial municipalities in Catandunes. The municipality of Baras was exceptional.

The MDRRM Officer of Baras Engr Khalil wanted to scale because of the feedback from the barangay officials and community, about the effectiveness of the process and how it also engaged everyone. In the process of scaling the MDRRMO and ASDSW brainstormed on how to do it more efficiently so that the resources needed could be minimized as it is a time consuming activity.

Engr. Khalil suggested to do the training in 3-days, but even though ASDSW staff thought that this would be difficult, it was tested, but the results were far from ideal with insufficient time spent on discussing and processing the results.

The ASDSWteamprocessed the outputs with Engr Kalil about the importance of discussing the outputs and that the planning process is not about building a compliant plan but a plan that can be understood, internalized and implemented. This was understood by the MDRRMO so then we started on working on clustered trainings with 7-10 people from 3-4 barangays at the Operation Center. This reduced the costs for the MDRRMOfacilitators but had the added bonus of allowing barangays to compare notes and experiences to build Municipal pooled knowledge.

The MDRRMO committed and succeeded in ensuring that all 29 barangays used BRITE to build or strengthen their BDRRM Plans. Mr. Frances was the lead trainer as being the MDRRMO training officer and not only was he a skilled facilitator but he was able to continue the discussion beyond the facilitation of the process. At this stage ASDSW was relegated to a cheerleading role as the MDRRMO, particularly Mr Francis completed all 29 barangays.

During the integration of barangay plans into the municipal plans , Engr. Khalil and his team noticed the difference of the actual output on the consolidated PPAs. They noticed that many of the identified PPAs of the barangays are already present in their MDRRMP, however what catches their attention was that there are actually some ideas that they don’t have. In some PPAs, there were some barangays they have missed to include as their actual targets. They appreciated the integration process as it is very simple and precise. Engr. Khalil knew that it is not only the BDRRMP of the barangays that needs updating, the commitment he gave to ASDSW was to do another set of consolidation activities after they covered all 29 barangays and integrate all of the identified PPAs to their MDRRMP. Also, to make sure that the identified PPAs of the barangays will be included on the consideration for funding of their LGU, they presented the first consolidated PPAs to their quarterly meeting with their Local Development Council.

Baras has far exceeded expectations where they have presented their PPA’s from the BRITE process to the LDC. But also the first municipality to cover all barangays and are continuing to coach the barangay secretaries to make sure the BDRRMP’s meet the highest standard to be integrated into the municipal plan. By far, with all the partner MDRRMOs we have worked with, they are the one who have gone this far.

Before typhoon Kristine hit Catanduanes, Engr. Khalil shared that the BRITE actually helped the barangays to see the real situation in their communities. Recognizing these benefits they were then institutionalizing the BRITE in the municipality of Baras as their official tool in training and crafting of the BDRRMPoftheir barangays in the future. This resolution was crafted by the MDRRM council, submitted
and approved.

How has BRITE impacted the ability of Barangays to prepare and react to Typhoon Kristine

Municipality of Viga

The training of the barangays has been tested by Typhoon Kristine, even though Typhoon Kristine was not as strong as Typhoon Rolly it still managed to disrupt the livelihood and damaged many houses and properties, it even took lives in Catanduanes due to its heavy rain causing landslides in many areas in the province. The provincial government of Catanduanes announced a state of calamity because of the effect of the typhoon. The ASDSW team conducted a rapid assessment with our partner LGUs and this gave us the chance to go back and visit barangays in several municipalities asking them how they responded to typhoon Kristine and if there were any differences in the reactions from the barangays.

Barangay Del Pilar in the municipality of Viga, we were able to talk with the Barangay Captain. During the BRITE process one of the issues was that the Captain and only a few officials did all the work. The look on her face said it all which illustrated the change in how the council responded. She told us that she is not tired at all, not stressed with the situation because all of her officials are working together. Thanking us for addressing the issue during the training by enlightening all of her fellow barangay officials about their roles and responsibilities in the community.

Conversely, Barangay Sagrada we were only able to talk to people in the clearing operations and most of them were not part of the training and so we saw that maybe at the barangay council level there were changes but at the ground level people didn’t see the change. They thought the response was going well, but even though the impact was not major they still insisted that we should respond and provide assistance. We are not sure if the BRITE program influenced the leaders that we did not speak to, improving the response.

Municipality of San Miguel

ASDSW visited the municipality of San Miguel, and talked with Mr. Juan Bernal, the MDRRMO designate. He told us that typhoon Kristine was not that strong in their municipality, however he has noticed something in many barangays. He is surprised by the fact that many of the barangays have submitted their RDANAs early which never happened before as he said with a smile on his face. Indicating that even though the typhoon was not that strong the training has made an impact in many barangays in San Miguel and they are happy with it. And now they are asking if they can set a training of their own using the BRITE process and asking us to help them facilitate the training. We will endeavor to make this happen.

Quotes from Officials

Brgy. Del Pilar, Viga

Hindi na ako lang lagi ang bugbog sa trabaho at sa kakaikot sa buong barangay Sir, yung mga kasama ko sa konseho aktibo na silang gumagalaw sa barangay, dahil din siguro nalinawan po sila kung ano talaga ang function nila bilang barangay official. Malaki po naging tulong nung training Sir.

“This time unlike before I’m not the only one who does all the work and roam around our barangay to inform the people. My fellow barangay official is more active now, I think that was because of the training they we were enlightened about their functions in the community as a barangay official. The training we did actually helped a lot Sir.”

Brgy. Sagrada, Viga

Wala pa yung bagyo Sir, lahat po kami pati po mga nag-iikot. Lalo na po nawalan ng kuryente, gumawa po ngparaan, lahat po umikot po. Manu-mano po yung pagkalat ng impormasyon at pagcheck ng mga sitwasyon ng mga tao. Hindi po kami nahirapan Sir, madali lang po kahit may konting problema, madali kasi madami po kaming nagtulungan. Kahit nga po ngayon, nag-iikot pa rin ng barangay at naglilinis po. Sa susunod mas madali na to kapag may mga gamit na po kami.

“Even though typhoon Kristine has not yet hit us we already go out to inform our people about the storm that’s abut to hit us. Especially when the electricity went out, we find ways, everyone went around the barangay. We did the information dissemination manually and monitor our people if they are safe. We did not struggle, it was easier this time even though we encounter few challenges. Even this time, this early in the morning we went out to do clearing operations. Next time it will be a lot easier if we have equipment.

-Dapat Sir kahit mahina ang bagyo may relief pa rin.

“Even though the typhoon was not strong enough there should be a relief operation.”

MDRRMO Viga

Hindi kami nahirapan makipagtulungan sa mga barangay Sir dahil sila mismo napaka-aktibo na nila. May mganakapagpasa na nga din po agad ng reports nila. Though kulang pa sa ilang barangay na malalayo, pero mas madali ngayon, kahit sabihing hindi kami nagrabi malaking pa rin pinagbago lalo nitong mga partner nyong barangay.

“We did not struggle in working with the barangays it’s because they are more active than before. There are some barangays who were able to submit their RDANA early. Though we are missing some RDANA it is because many barangays were too far away, however this time it was really different. Even though we can tell that typhoon was not really that strong, there has been changes with the barangays especially those barangays you conducted trainings.”

MDRRMO San Miguel

Ay ngayon pa nga lang malaki na pinagbago ng mga barangay, mas mabibilis na sila ngayon. Pano nalang sa susunod kapag naexecute na nila mga plano nila. Kahit mahina yung bagyo, may epekto pa rin sya pero hindi ganun kabigat dahil mas alam na ng mga barangay mga dapat nilang gawin. Natatagalan lang report nitong mga isolated barangays, pero ganun pa man yung pag-aalala natin ay hindi na bothering kasi alam nating may kaalaman na sila.

“There has been a lot of change with the barangays, they were faster this time. How much more next time when they have executed their plans. Typhoon Kristine may not be that strong, it has still an effect however it’s not that extreme because barangays knew exactly what they have to do. There has been a delay in submission of RDANA especially on the isolated areas, however the worry we have is not that bothering because we knew that they have the capacity.”

Typhoon Kristine Response in municipality of Baras

Before we went out to go and visit Baras, ASDSW was able to communicate with the MDRRMO Department Head Engr. Khalil M. Tapia. Asking how the barangays were performing this time. Engr. Khalil shared his thoughts that it was a lot easier this time. The response in every barangay was a lot easier, even though they haven’t issued an advisory, he noticed that barangays were moving for their own preparation for the typhoon. They have observed that the moment they issued the advisory about typhoon Kristine 29 out of 29 barangays conducted right away an emergency meeting “Yes po Sir, lahat nagconduct na ng emergency meeting pag receive ng advisory galing sa amin, dati mga 4 to 6 lang ang agad agad nyan nagmemeeting, ngayong 29 barangays na.” said Engr. Khalil. This is a lot different from the past.

This indicates the part of the BRITE Training where they do a simulation on how they are going to act if there is an emergency. This reinforced the value of the last day where simulations test procedures and ensure that all officials know their responsibilities.

The municipality of Baras appreciates and sees the importance of the BRITE in their locality that is why they have decided to officially adopt the BRITE program as their official tool in training barangays on crafting their Barangay DRRM Plans. The MDRRMC of Baras has made a resolution institutionalizing BRITE as one of their tools in capacitating their barangays. This is the very first municipality who has institutionally adopted BRITE because of the success it indicates within the municipality. The value of the process was reflected in the actions taken during the Typhoon Kristine response.

Mr. Frances as the BRITE Champion and lead trainer summarised the impact of BRITE, especially as he facilitated the process on his own to complete the last of 29 barangays.

ASDSW facilitator Ritchie Bugaoisan “With a smile and excitement on his face, he told me that it was really something”. “iba talaga sa pakiramdam Sir, grabe mag-pasalamat nung mga barangay. Grabe yung appreciations nila, naiyak talaga ko sir, sobrang natutuwa ako na naappreciate nila yung training. Nagpapasalamat din daw sila sa oras ko, sa pagturo sa kanila. Ngayon nga Sir kapag pumupunta ko ng mga barangay kung dati Hi lang ngayong niyayakap nila ko kapag nakikita nila ko.”

“It felt nice, they were grateful. I even got emotional because they really appreciated the training and myeffort. This is why I’m glad that I did the training. They said that they are thankful for my time for teaching them. Now, every time I visit them they would even hug me unlike before they
will just say Hi and that’s it.

The training did not just provide knowledge to the barangays but it made the connection between barangays and MDRRMO waystronger than before which is a very good indicator that Baras is a more resilient municipality. As a facilitator, we aim for these things to happen. Now, barangays do not hesitate to go to MDRRMO to ask fortechnical assistance on crafting their BDRRMP. This may be a simple action but many municipalities failed to do this. If the barangay clearly communicates their needs to the MDRRMO they will receive guidance.

Oftentimes the success of the program comes down to the partners LGU having a champion to own the process. ASDSW is not just a training organization, but it teaches, coaches and then becomes a cheerleader. In Baras we had a strong champion that understood the importance of community participation vs consultation. When the facilitators saw the enthusiasm then they moved to enabling the model to spread and working as true partners took on the partners suggestions and tried different methodologies as we are also on a learning journey with our partners. The facilitators also own the program and work with the partners not as teacher/student but as a partner with a common goal of building and strengthening governance systems to improve the ability of the LGU to provide basic services, reduce risk and to respond in times of crisis.

Wefirst visited barangay Danao, which was isolated by a massive landslide and asked:

1. Howdidtheyrespond to Typhoon Kristine?
2. Whatistheir understanding between relief and response?
3. Whatistheir perspective on the idea that help from other agencies is not around?
4. Doyoufeelresilient? Why?

Brgy. Danao (Secretary and Captain)

-Mas madali at organized na sir yung response namin, hindi kami nahirapan kahit na-isolate kami dahil sa landslide. Mas madami na kaming nagtutulungan. Mas responsible na yung ibang mga member ng barangay dahil madaling araw palang nag-iikot na talaga kami, wala pang kain kain nag-iikot na kami. Kailangan talaga mag-ikot dahil nawalan ng kuryente.

“It was easier and well-organized the response we did, we did not struggle even though we were isolated due to the massive landslide. This time, many are working together. They are more responsible this time because early in the morning without breakfast or anything we already went out to inform our people. We had made sure everyone is informed and ready, we struggle a little because of the electricity.”

-Malaki po naging tulong ng training kasi po madami na po talaga ang nakakaalam kung ano po ang dapat gawin lalo na po kaming mga barangay officials.

“The training helped us a lot because many people from the community knows exactly what to do, especially us, the barangay officials.”

-Ramdam ponaminnamasresilient kami kasi po na-isolate man kami kinaya po namin ng wala pong tulong galing sa labas. Magaan po sa pakiramdam na sa kabila ng kakulangan sa kapasidad ng barangay namin kinakaya po lalo na po siguro kung magawa namin yung mga nasa bagong plano namin ngayon.

“We felt resilient, even though because of the landslide we were isolated. We still managed to stand on our own without help from outside. It felt nice, despite of our weaknesses and lack of capacity we were able to manage, how much more if we execute the plan we have made.”

Brgy. P. Teston (Brgy. Captain & Secretary)

-Naglibot na po kami agad pagbaba ng advisory, isa-isa po naming pinuntahan yung mga bahay. Pinaliwanag na po namin kung saan po sila pwede mag-evacuate kung sakaling tumaas po yung dagat. Nung evacuation na po, wala po kaming naging problema dahil alam ng mga tao kung saan sila pwede pumunta, naasikaso din po namin ng maayos.

“The moment we received the advisory from the MDRRMO we immediately went out and to every house one-by-one. We explain to the people where they can evacuate in case the sea water level rises. During evacuation, we did not encounter issues because people are well informed on where to go, we are also able to accommodate them well.”

-Maganda sa pakiramdam Sir na nakatulong kami kahit kami lang po kahit walang tulong na dumating samin, masarap sa pakiramdam na kaya namin na kami lang.

“It felt nice that we can help our people even though we lack some resources and help is not around, it felt nice that we managed even though it’s just us.”

(We clarified something with the barangay officials and community who were listening, if you managed to respond well now despite your current weakness, how much more if you execute your BDRRMP. This idea excites every individual in the room.)

Brgy. Caragumihan (The whole council)

-Nagmeeting po kami agad-agad Sir nung marecieve namin yung advisory ng mdrrmo, nag-activate din po kami ng Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Well organized po ang committees namin, nagagawa po talaga nila yung mga assignment nila, wala pong nagtuturuan kung ano ba gagawin. Smooth din po pagconduct namin ng RDANA.

“We conducted emergency meeting the moment we received the advisory from MDRRMO, we even activated our own Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Every committee is well-organized, they managed to fulfill their responsibilities without causing problem with one another. We conducted RDANA without issues as well.”

-Yung early preparations po namin, may ready na po kaming stock pile month of september palang po. Yung iba po kasi, kapag may bagyo na o pag tapos na yung bagyo tsaka palang mamimili, kami po hindi na. namimigay na po kami ng relief, kaya po sa panahon ng bagyo hindi po kami nagkukumahog.

“With our early preparations, we already have a stockpile early in September. Unlike other barangay who prepare the needs of their community in times of calamity, here in our barangay we prepare early so in times of disaster we are not cramming on doing this and that.”

-Maganda po na walang dumating na tulong from other NGOs, kung kaya naman imanage ng barangay kami nalang kung kaya lang naman namin. Hindi po kami umaasa. Masaya po kami na kaya po namin, na resilient naman po ang barangay namin kahit po kulang pa po kami.

“It’s a good thing that if there is no help from other NGOs the barangay can still manage on our own. We did not expect help. We are happy that we made it, we found out that somehow our barangay is a resilient barangay despite our weaknesses.”

-Hindi pa man nagagawa karamihan na laman ng plano pero magaan na sya kahit papano sa barangay, howmuchmorekungmagawatalaga yung mganasa plano. Di baleng paisa-isa, ang important na susundan nyo yung directions na gusto naming puntahan.

“Right now, we still haven’t done many PPAs on our plan, however it felt nice on our end, and how much more if we manage to execute every PPAs in our plan. It does not matter even if it’s a slow process what matters is that we know the directions where we want to be and we will do it
one-by-one.”

*(This barangay was the only one who has activated their own Emergency Operation Center (EOC). This barangay is not that big, however they take the situation very seriously. This was witnessed by the MDRRMO, and I asked if they have documented the situation and telling them that they can use it to inspire other barangays on something they can do to respond even better, by posting it and acknowledging the barangay who did well through their facebook page. Another realization for the
MDRRMO, something they are looking forward to do in the future.)

Frances Ramirez MDRRMO Staff

-Nakakatuwa, nakakaproud na may mga barangay na kami na mataas ang kakayanan magrespond.

“This is nice and I am proud that I can see that we do actually have a barangays with a high capacity to respond in terms of emergency.”

Barangay Nagbarorong

-Malinaw sa amin Sir ang designation ng mga barangay officials, time to time nagrereport ang bawat is a, importante na samin ang communication. Ako po bilang punong barangay, tutok po ako sa supervision ang kagawad natin sila talaga ang super action. Dapat po kasi binibigyan talaga ng responsilidad ang mga kagawad kasi kung hindi, umaasa nalang palagi sa punong barangay. Na-priority din natin itong mga kabahayan na malapit sa landslide areas na mag-evacuate sila.

“Their designation is clear to everyone, from time-to-time everyone reports to me, communication is very important in times like this. As a barangay captain, I focused on supervision and the ones who were acting on the ground were my barangay kagawads. We have to understand that we should give them their responsibility so they will not always rely on their barangay captain. We also prioritized these households who were in the landslide prone areas to evacuate to safe houses.”

-Nagpapalaro ang barangay pagka tapos ng bagyo as response, nagtatanggal ng stress. Palaro at prizes na rin para kahit problemado napapalitan pa rin ng saya. Itong mga bagay na to, hindi ito magagawa ng ibang NGOs kaparaanan nalang ito ng barangay.

“After the typhoon we have hosted games for the children, to make sure that we are able to release the stress. Games and prizes making sure that even though it was a stressing time we can still make our people laugh in times like this. These are the things that you can not expect from NGOs to do, this is one of our ways as response here in our barangay.”

Barangay Salvacion

-Kumpara Sir nung dati mas napadali yung response namin, mabilis po yung communication namin kasi isang team na talaga kaming gumagalaw hindi na gaya ng dati na nagtuturuan pa.

“Compared to the past, we are able to respond well this time, communication was faster because we are a team that is working with our community unlike before where people who would always rely on someone else to do the job.”

-Sa panahon sir na walang tulong na dumating samin, nakikita namin yung pagkakaisa ng council kung ano po ba yung mga pwede naming gawin para pomakatulong sa mga ka-barangay namin. Malungkot lang din po sa part na kung walang tulong na dumating kulang po talaga yung maibibigay na serbisyo. During bagyo sir, buhay na buhay po talaga bayanihan dito samen kasi po sobrang daming putik gawa ng landslide po jan sa taas namin. 11pm po bayanihan po talaga nagpapala ng mga putik kahit medyo madilim at umuulan. Magaan yung problema Sir kasi nakikita mong nagtutulungan mga tao sa barangay. Malaking tulong po talaga yung training Sir.

“In times that help is not around, we saw the unity of our council, looking for a way so we can do more for our people. However, the fact that help is not around it makes me sad for the reason that service is limited because our resources is not that big. We witnessed during typhoon Kristine the spirit of bayanihan because of the heavy rain, there was a huge landslide on the road making us isolated, there was mud everywhere. 11 at night, everyone is shoveling the muds out of the way even though its dark and rainy at the moment. Even though there’s a problem we still felt at ease because we can see that we are helping one another.”

Two different mindsets of barangays that indicate resiliency:

Note that Brgy. A was the barangay where the barangay officials did not actually participate in the BRITE training. During the visit, they are the ones who made up their answers so they can relate to what we are talking about. If the barangay council will commit to the project, we should not push it. This is the result of doing that.

On the other hand, Brgy. B represents all of the barangays who participated well during the training. During our visit to many barangays in Baras, their answers were all the same even though there was one kagawad who would disagree but in the majority, all of the barangays gave the exact same answer. This indicates resiliency is increasing in their community without them knowing. As Program implementers and facilitators when we discussed this we illustrated that they are increasing their resilience and they have the power to do better. This is the Empowerment Function of BRITE!