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LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Nov. 12 (PIA) -- Provincial civil defense coordinator Dr. Henry Buzar of the disaster council- Quezon disclosed in a radio interview by the Philippine Information Agency-Quezon here last November 9 that barangays in Quezon province whether in urban or rural are the front liners in counter-acting disasters and at the same time, limit damages caused by disasters,
Dr. Buzar discussed the role of barangays -- he said local government units including barangays are mandated to ensure the safety of its constituents in all manners as enshrined in different Philippine laws, tenets, decrees, and acts. These provisions guarantee that barangay officials are responsible for disaster risk reductions and management
Similarly, under Art. 88.b.6 of RA 7160, it affirms that the punong barangay organizes and leads an emergency group whenever the same may be necessary for the maintenance of peace and order or occasions of emergency of calamity within the barangay, he said.
Buzar also said that barangays serve as the political division of the municipality, which is divided into rural and urban barangays, the center of which is called sitio. This political unit is headed by an elected punong barangay and seven elected council members called barangay kagawads and one sanggunian kabataan charman as additional member.
“These barangays have to activate their barangay disaster risk reduction and management committee under the guidance of the barangay development council. Barangay development council, on the other hand, is the policy-making body on development programs as well as overseeing disaster management and other concern. The barangay should be prepared, equipped with knowledge and tools to ensure the safety of its constituents”, he added.
Dr. Buzar also pointed out the importance of a barangay disaster operation center or emergency operation center in a particular barangay. He said any emergencies that the barangay might encounter must be responded by the emergency operation center with its dedicated search and rescue group. (RO-PIA 4A, Quezon)
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