In response to the growing need for stronger community-based disaster resilience, the DILG Aurora, through its LGRC “Tambuli” successfully conducted the 4th episode of its webinar series under “Kabarangay, Handa Ka Ba?” Preparedness and Resiliency Enhancement: Promoting Accurate Response during Emergency (PREPARE) program last July 1, 2025. This initiative also supports the annual observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month held every July.

Episode 4, titled “Code Red to Ready: Together we prepare, together we rise” served as a platform to deepen awareness of disaster risks, equip participants with practical preparedness strategies, and highlight best practices in building climate- and disaster-resilient communities. It also emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts by the government, civil society organizations, and communities to address the impacts of natural hazards.

The webinar featured presentations on Operation Listo, early warning systems, community drills, risk communication, and local emergency planning. Ms. Melissa Gretchen C. Palma, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) of Batanes, who serves as one of the Resource Persons, shares their best practices, highlighting the Ivatan’s Culture of Disaster Preparedness. She calls for action and partnership with the participants and leaves a keynote message: “Ang pagiging resilient ay tuloy-tuloy na paglalakbay at sa Batanes, patuloy kaming natututo, lumalago at nagiging mas matatag…Hinihikayat ko kayo na ipagpatuloy ang pagtutulungan at pagpapalitan ng kaalaman. Ang disaster resiliency kasi ay isang kolektibong responsibilidad at sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa, mas marami tayong magagawa.”

The activity saw an active participation of more than 500 Zoom attendees and Facebook Live viewers composed of barangay officials, youth, volunteers, and members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) across the provinces of Aurora and Camarines Norte.

With continuous efforts in providing capability development activities under the PREPARE program, the DILG Aurora affirms its commitment to empowering barangays in building disaster-resilient communities across the province and beyond.