The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) continues its commitment of fostering disaster resilient and climate-adaptable communities through the success of Project BRAVE (Building Resilience and Adaptation in Vulnerable Communities). Through its Disaster Risk Management (RAFI DRM) initiative, Project BRAVE’s phase one was able to institutionalize the first 38 puroks across 5 barangays in Boljoon, Cebu.

Convinced of the power of the purok system (division of a barangay in smaller zones) in creating disaster preparedness and risk reduction programs, RAFI DRM aided in buffing up small, organized groups within the identified barangays in Boljoon namely: Barangay Poblacion, Barangay South Granada, Barangay Lunop, Barangay Granada, and Barangay Lower Becerril to easily mobilize and involve residents ensuring a more efficient and participatory disaster preparedness and response.

During the first-ever Purok Day in Boljoon held on June 10, 2024 at the Municipal gym, the participating puroks, along with other likeminded organizations within the municipality, celebrated the culmination of Phase I implementation. The event featured project highlights, testimonials on purok institutionalization, official oathtaking, and the launch of the ANDAM (Alerto ug Nagkahiusang komunidad Dinuyogan sa Aktibong Myembro) Boljoon campaign.

In his speech, Mayor Jojie Derama, expressed his happiness in the warm participation and acceptance of his constituents to the project and asked for their continued support to the campaign, “Kita diri sa Boljoon, prone kaayo ta sa mga sakuna. At least karon, kahibao nata asa ta magsugod kung naay mga [sakuna] pareho sa Odette. Karon naa natay standard procedures nga unsa atong dapat buhaton, maong nagpasalamat ko sa RAFI. I -acknowledge pod nako ang mga pilot nga barangay nga ni participate ani nga program and I hope nga kadtong mga barangay nga wala pa, mo join pod mo kay nindot kaayo ning proyektoha para sa atoa. [Nanghinaot] ko nga mohangop ta sa ANDAM Boljoon, kay kung unsa man gani ang mahitabo diri sa atoa, andam ta.”

Phase 1 which began in June 2023, highlights and examines the functionality of the purok, establishing governance structures, data systems, action plans, and community resilience-building measure. This will then be followed by Phase II on Leadership and Governance and Technical Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Trainings to capacitate them to further strengthen these communities.

Eutimio Ternate, Head of Boljoon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) also shared the best practices and his seen changes in the project implementation. “Ang atong makita kung mo suroy ta didto [sa mga barangay], ang atong makita is the structure [purok center], but behind the structure, ang atong makita is ang community dunay engagement. Sa community makaingon ta nga nagkasuod sila, naa silay teamwork, naa silay panaghiusa,” Ternate expressed.

He emphasized that although they have made significant progress, there is still much to be done to reach Project BRAVE’s shared goal of a disaster-ready and resilient Boljoon. Among the best practices he shared, he highlighted that their purok centers are equipped with evacuation plans and hazard maps to raise awareness among members. He noted that data gathering for the distribution of relief packs in response to the effects of El Niño was efficiently verified and delivered. He envisions a unified Boljoon, always ready and ensures that no barangay is left behind.

RAFI’s Chief Operating Officer, Riella Guioguio, reaffirmed RAFI’s commitment to continuously support Project BRAVE, now led by Boljoon through the ANDAM Boljoon campaign. “Last year, when we first pitched this partnership to Mayor, we started with HDProk, which involved setting up puroks and helping them create and implement their plans. HDProk was just the entry point; the larger program to prepare Boljoon is ANDAM Boljoon. We are very pleased that when we presented this to Mayor, he accepted the partnership with RAFI.” She expressed her hope that the community is as excited as RAFI in the journey together towards the shared goal of an ANDAM Boljoon.

In addition to celebrating the success of Purok Day, RAFI and the Municipality of Boljoon proudly announced the extension of their partnership to 2026. This extended collaboration aims to further realize RAFI’s vision of empowering communities to be well-prepared for disasters and adaptable to climate change.