Dr. Arnildo Castro Tamayo presented the recent history of natural disasters in Olongapo, and his plan for a Volunteer Disaster Brigade.

1. The City

Olongapo City lies on the West coast of the Island of Luzon, The Philippines largest island. For years a major U.S. Naval base, it was returned to the Philippines in 1992. Its location provides both advantages and hazards. The well protected harbor is one of its major advantages. But it also lies directly in the path of the typhoons that typically arise east of Luzon and track directly west toward the South China Sea and mainland Southeast Asia. This has brought a series of natural disasters when heavy rains produce destructive mud slides and flash floods, as those that hit the city in 1981, 1987 and 2006. The latter took the lives of two small children. Along with much of the Philippines, the city sits on the Pacific Rim of fire that produces earthquakes and volcanoes. In 1990 an earthquake of magnitude 5.6 hit the city, causing much physical destruction, but no loss of life. The city also lies in the shadow, and directly down wind of the great volcano Mt. Pinatubo. Its eruption in 1991, after a series of smaller quakes, killed around 300 people and displaced tens of thousands, raining heavy ash on the city.

Its long experience with natural disasters has led the new Philippines city government, under its Mayor James J. Gordon Jr., to create a set of Standard Operating Procedures for calamities and natural disasters. This was done with technical assistance from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). These SOPs are especially significant for maternal and child health issues. The city Health Department has a year-round schedule of health officers prepared to assist in a disaster, and maintains regular stockpiles of supplies and medicines. This system is constantly updated and tested through periodic drills, directed by its own Disaster Management Office, which has a Fire and Rescue Brigade fashioned after the United States 911 system. In recognition of this work, the city is a consistent awardee of the Philippines’ Best City Disaster Coordinating Council and Best Fire and Rescue team.

For the past several years, Olongapo has experienced different disasters, natural and man made. It is imperative that the formulation of a well balanced and strengthened Disaster Volunteer Brigade be made, to effectively help the city government to address the situation in times of calamities, especially in the rural areas. It needs, therefore, the participation and assistance of each member of the community.

Evacuation of citizens during flooding in Olongapo

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2. The Proposed Action Plan

The plan will establish a Disaster Volunteer Brigade, to enable community based preparedness for the event of a natural disaster. The members are selected to represent a wide spectrum of local business, welfare and political organizations.

After the roles and functions of the group are established, community awareness campaigns will be undertaken, and meetings and training carried out. Funding will be enhanced by various fund raising activities, and media campaigns will also improve awareness of the DVB and its activities.

Olongapo Action Plan Time Frame: October 2007 – December 2008