Barangay Dapdap in this city highlighted the importance of strengthening disaster resilience in communities and schools as the region observed the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) on Tuesday.

Barangay Dapdap, the main site of the regional observance hosted by the Legazpi City government, is participating in an information caravan organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – Bicol to promote the Panatag Pilipinas 3.0 campaign.

OCD-Bicol Director Bernardo Fortez Jr. said the celebration emphasizes the role of families, schools, and communities in building a culture of disaster preparedness, particularly as Bicol enters the fourth quarter, when severe weather disturbances commonly affect the region.

“This activity highlights the importance of our homes, families, and schools in strengthening resilience and disaster management,” he said.

He said preparedness should begin at home, where families can develop the knowledge and skills needed to respond to disasters and emergencies.

“The family is the fundamental unit of society, and learning and preparedness should begin at home. We must cultivate each family’s capacity to prepare for disasters and emergencies because families make up our communities,” he said.

He added that schools help reinforce the knowledge and skills developed at home, while lessons learned in classrooms can be shared with families and the wider community.

“That is why we are emphasizing the roles of homes and schools. What we learn at home can be expanded and improved in school, and what students learn in school can also be shared with the community,” he said.

He noted that disaster preparedness has become a shared responsibility among families, schools, local government units, and other sectors, particularly in a disaster-prone region such as Bicol.

Fortez also underscored the importance of effective early warning systems, saying these must ensure that timely and relevant information reaches communities before disasters strike.

“It is not enough to simply have an early warning system or disaster equipment. The bottom line is ensuring that the information reaches the community,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dapdap village chief Glenn Barcelon welcomed the initiative, saying activities that provide additional knowledge on disaster preparedness help communities improve their readiness for emergencies.

“We welcome these opportunities because the more knowledge we gain, the better prepared we become. We expect this activity to be productive, especially since it emphasizes the safety and preparedness of families and schools,” he said.

Barcelon said the barangay maintains an active Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC), supported by a disaster operations center equipped with response equipment.

He said the barangay conducts two to three earthquake and fire drills annually, holds monthly meetings, and implements measures under its disaster risk reduction and management plan, which is regularly updated through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

The barangay also uses technology to strengthen communication and coordination, including group chats for each purok to disseminate updates and activate response measures when necessary.

Barcelon added that the barangay conducts pre-disaster risk assessments before impending calamities to evaluate the situation and determine appropriate response measures.

This year’s IDDRR observance carries the localized theme “Panatag na Tahanan at Paaralan,” which highlights the importance of homes and schools in promoting disaster preparedness and resilience.

The theme aligns with the expanded Panatag Pilipinas 3.0 campaign, which brings hazard preparedness videos directly to schools to encourage disaster awareness and resilience among learners, families, and communities.

Fortez said the celebration serves as a reminder that disaster risk reduction is a continuous process that requires the active participation of every sector of society.

He urged communities to strengthen their preparedness efforts and help ensure that disaster awareness translates into concrete actions to protect lives and build safer, more resilient communities. (PNA)