Cattle raisers disaster risk management plan
Bohol Cattle Raisers Association of the Philippines Inc.
187-C Putong Street, Cogon District, Tagbilaran City
Disaster Risk Management Plan
by Ammon Denis R. Tirol
The Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act (RA 10121) guides the Bohol Cattle Raisers Disaster Risk Management Plan. RA 10121 of 2010, which provides the legal basis for policies, plans, and programs to deal with disasters, covers four thematic areas, namely, (1) Disaster Prevention and Mitigation; (2) Disaster Preparedness; (3) Disaster Response; and (4) Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework from RA 10121 serves as “the principal guide to disaster risk reduction and management efforts to the country....” illustrated in the figure below.
Disaster Risk Management
Disaster risk is the potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed or damaged assets that occur to a system, society, or a community in a specific period determined probabilistically as a function of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity (UNISDR, 2015). The definition of disaster risk reflects the concept of hazardous events and disasters as the outcome of continuously present conditions of risk (UNDRR Terminology, 2017).
Risk is quantified as a function of hazard, vulnerability, exposure, and capacity in the following equation:
Hazards are dangerous and likely to cause damage. Hazards may be natural or human-induced. The Philippines is naturally exposed to hazards because of its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Our country is also located in the Pacific Typhoon belt with more typhoons. More extreme and frequent weather disturbances are expected as effects of climate change. According to the UN-sponsored World Risk Index Report of 2016, the Philippines ranked the 3rd riskiest country with 26.7% after Vanuatu and Tonga (36.28% and 29.33%). The impact of hazards cannot be reduced but we can address the vulnerability and exposure by increasing our capacities.
With aim of having safer, adaptive, and disaster-resilient Bohol cattle raisers for sustainable development, the four DRRM thematic areas are addressed.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
Avoid hazards and mitigate their potential impacts by reducing vulnerabilities and exposure and enhancing farmer capacities.
v Gather information.
Ø What disasters or hazards prevail in your community? For your farm?
Ø How are farmers warned of impending disasters?
Ø How can the farmer prepare for each?
Ø Know the local DRRM plan and key personnel.
Ø Know the Department of Agriculture requirements for availing of DRRM budgets and programs.
Ø Locate and prearrange safe evacuation areas.
v Minimize the impact of droughts.
Ø Secure water supply through repair of wells, cleaning of tanks, and harvesting rainwater in tanks.
Ø Stockpile dry fodder reserves, urea molasses licks, bricks made of fodder urea, and molasses.
Ø Stabilize fodder resources by seed reserves and planting alternative drought-resistant fodder crops.
Ø Prevent disease outbreaks through a better health management protocol.
v Mitigation for earthquakes and landslides
Ø Avoid earthquake fault lines and landslide-prone areas
Ø Farm structures designed and built to minimize livestock loss in case of strong earthquakes
Ø Secure farm insurance with “all-hazards” coverage
v Manage your farm
Ø Keep a current inventory of farm assets: area, structures, equipment, forage, and animals
Ø Follow the health management protocols for the animals
Ø Keep records of ownership and identification of all animals in case of loss or displacement
Ø Prepare an evacuation plan for evacuation sites, alternate routes, transport, and reserves
Ø Assess the stability of farm structures
Ø Remove farm hazards such as accumulated wastes, loose/weak structures, and flammables
Ø Maintain regular maintenance of farm equipment and structures
v Encourage community awareness and “buy-in” of disaster risk reduction as a life philosophy
Ø Participate in the community DRRM planning and activities. The pre-disaster baseline data is a vital information in the DRRM plan requiring input from community stakeholders including the cattle raisers. The pre-disaster baseline for the cattle raiser is the documented inventory of farm assets.
Ø Maintain regular contact with key DRRM personnel and farm neighbors
Ø Secure farm insurance with “all-hazards” coverage
Ø Inform the family and farm personnel of the farm DRRM plan
Disaster Preparedness
Establish and strengthen the capacities of the farm to anticipate, cope and recover from the negative impacts of emergency occurrences and disasters.
v Know the warning signals for your area.
Ø Learn the warning systems for your community.
Ø Are you able to hear or see the appropriate warning from your farm?
v Stay alert for emergency broadcasts.
Ø Monitor for Emergency Alert System broadcasts on radio or television
Ø Monitor for DOST-PAGASA weather radio alerts
Ø Monitor News sources from radio, television, and internet
v Assemble an emergency supply and an evacuation kit for your family and farm assets.
v Draw a farm site map and indicate:
Ø Buildings and structures
Ø Access routes (e.g., roads, lanes)
Ø Barriers (fences, gates)
Ø Locations of livestock
Ø Locations of all hazardous substances
Ø Electrical shutoff locations, etc.
v Make a list of your farm inventory, including:
Ø Livestock (species, number of animals)
Ø Crops (area, type)
Ø Machinery and equipment (make, model #)
Ø Hazardous substances (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, medicines, other chemicals)
v Keep a list of emergency phone numbers.
v Insure your farm and livestock
Ø Review your insurance coverage.
Ø Get additional coverage for “all-hazard” situations
v Stockpile supplies needed to protect the farm:
Ø A safe supply of food to feed livestock
Ø Extra fuel for vehicles
Ø Hand tools for preparation and recovery like chainsaw, bolt-cutters, crowbars
Ø Fire extinguishers in all barns and all vehicles
Ø A power generator
v Identify safe evacuation areas to relocate your assets if needed.
Ø Livestock
Ø Equipment
Ø Feed, grain, hay
Ø Agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides)
v Review the disaster preparation plan regularly
Ø Keep your family and personnel informed of the disaster preparation plan
Ø
Establish a phone tree with contact information
Disaster Response
Provide life preservation and meet the basic subsistence needs of the affected population based on acceptable standards during or immediately after a disaster.
v When the PAGASA raises a disaster warning.
Ø Gather the family and activate the disaster response procedures
Ø Monitor news alerts and broadcast for important updates and instructions from local authorities
v When the DILG orders an evacuation
Ø Leave as soon as the local LGU orders an evacuation.
Ø Secure farm site before evacuating by turning off power and water mains and locking valuables
Ø Secure farm chemicals, water, and feeds from contamination in case of floods
Ø Secure fuel and food reserves when going to the evacuation site
Ø Be alert for road hazards and anticipate congestion in routes going to evacuation sites
Ø Move people first before other assets
Ø Bring your evacuation kit
Ø Maintain contact with Barangay DRRM personnel
Ø Monitor the safety and well-being of your family
Ø Monitor the conditions of animals in the evacuation site and avoid contamination with others
Ø Bring animals records for identification and health monitoring
v When not ordered to evacuate
Ø Stay in a safe area or shelter during a natural disaster
Ø Monitor news alerts and broadcast for important updates and instructions from local authorities
Ø If power loss occurs, use a generator with caution following safety procedures and instructions
Ø Resist the temptation to check properties during a disaster until it is safe to do so
Ø Maintain contact with Barangay DRRM personnel
v Returning from an evacuation and after a disaster
Ø Exercise caution going home and watch for hazards like downed power lines, unstable structures
Ø Contact the local DRRM personnel for updates
Ø Check and secure the farm site for hazards and damages
Ø Compile losses and damages suffered during the disaster and report to the local DRRM
Ø Document losses and damages for insurance purposes
Ø Be ready to volunteer and assist others after your family is safe and secure
v Address the livestock needs.
Ø Vaccinate the animals against tetanus or most prevailing infectious disease
Ø Safely dispose of carcasses
Ø Promptly treat injured animals and provide antibiotics in case of susceptible illness
Ø Be aware of animal stress during and immediately after a disaster and relieve their stress
Ø Check animal feed and water supply for contamination
Ø Clean and clear the animal relocation site and farm structures for hazards
Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery
Restore and improve facilities, livelihood and living conditions, and farm capacities, and reduce future risks following the “building back better” principle.
v Document the losses and damages suffered by the farm
Ø The inventory records and reports serve as pre-disaster baseline data to report losses and damages
Ø Submit the pre-disaster and post-disaster report to the local DRRM council
Ø Submit the required documents to process insurance claim for insured farm assets
Ø Complete the farm insurance claims procedure
v Avail of recovery financing provided by the government
Ø Primary fund source for LGU rehabilitation and recovery projects, programs, and activities is the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). This is an appropriation of not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources set aside by the LGU to support disaster risk management activities. While the whole LDRRMF is available for post disaster rehabilitation and recovery activities, the 30% Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the total LDRRMF, can only come out when the LGU is under a state of calamity. The Department of Agriculture has built-in QRF to ensure immediate action during calamities which do not require the recommendation of the NDRRMC or the approval of the OP to trigger the use and release of the funds. The GAA provides the procedures for release of the calamity fund and QRF.
Ø Coordinate with the local LGU for participation in the availment of the calamity fund and QRF.
v Learn from the disaster experience
Ø Take note of the causes of losses and damages incurred in the farm
Ø Remedy the defective designs and procedures in the DRRM plan as revealed in the disaster
Ø Share the lessons learned from the disaster with the DRRM council and community stakeholders
Ø Improve farm facilities damaged by the disaster following the “build back better” principle
Emergency Contact Numbers
|
Police |
Veterinarian |
|
Fire |
Barangay DRRM Officer |
|
Ambulance |
Municipal DRRM Officer |
|
Hauler |
Power Company |
|
Red Cross |
Disaster Hotline |
|
Insurance Policy Number |
Insurance Agent |
|
Barangay Health Worker |
Municipal Health Officer |
