“Makita pod ang ka matinud-anon bitaw sa usa ka gamay nga Komunidad nga magtinabangay. “ 
[You can see the sincerity in a small community helping each other.] 

A purok, is an informal division within a barangay that consists of a smaller group of households, creating easier access to the grassroots communities to manage and impart the community services. In the Municipality of Boljoon, Cebu, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) institutionalized 38 puroks across 5 barangays through its initiative called Project BRAVE (Building Resilience and Adaptation in Vulnerable Communities). This project spearheaded by RAFI’s Disaster Risk Management (DRM) hopes to equip community members to develop a community-based disaster response and resilience plan.

We captured two stories on the ground, showing that at the heart of community building is the dedication and participation of the people within.

Clarita Manano: The Strength of a Community 

Clarita Manano, Purok Leader of Purok Inahan sa Kanunayng Panabang, takes pride in how their purok has achieved success despite adversities, thanks to the contributions of community members, whether through material donations, time, or effort. Reflecting on the most recent Purok Day celebration, she shares, “Aron lang gyod masolbad magkanya-kanya lang mi ug balon, ig abot didto amo lang i-share tanan. Usahon ra namo nya magtabang tabangay rami kinsay walay sud-an, magbaylo-ay rami ana. Mao to ingon ko nag magkanya kanya lang tag balon na okay ra god siya naghinobra ra ang among balon.” Even their Purok center was built out of the contributions from her members. 

Clarita claims that their purok grew stronger with the introduction of Project BRAVE. She values the purok system and did not hesitate to accept its implementation. “Kanang naay kalamidad, ug pangayoan ta ug records naa ragyod. Makita pod ang ka matinud-anon bitao sa usa ka gamay nga Komunidad ga magtinabangay. Bisag tua pa siya sa layo, magilhanay gyod mi kay magabot abot man mo sa meeting/tagbo,” she shared. 

Recognizing the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Clarita testified how the strengthened system is beneficial not only for purok and barangay-led activities but also in times of disasters. “Mas nindot na siya karon kay makita nagyod namo. Sauna man gud wala pa gyoy klaro kon among boundaries lang daan. Wala mi kahibalo. Mao bitaw to siya pag Odette magilogay ug miyembro kay miyembro didto miyembro diri. Mao tong pagka karon hapsay na siya kay maklaro na namo kung kinsa among mga sakop dayon mailhan na namo kon pila gyod mi kabuok didto. Na identify nag gyod siya ug klaro ba karon nga gitabangan mi sa RAFI. Maklaro nag yod ang among tumong sa purok nga magkahiusa mi ug padayon lang gyod,” she explained. 

As the project continues, Clarita is hopeful that their purok remains harmonious, maintaining cooperation, unity, and understanding within the community she leads.

Haidee Derama: The Youth in the Community

The youth play a significant role in nation-building. It is important that they participate and gain knowledge about the community they belong to. Growing up, Haidee Derama, 21, was exposed to community work through her mom’s participation. This environment inspired her to actively engage in her purok, Purok San Agustin, Barangay Lunop, Boljoon Cebu. 

“Akong kagustohan. Voluntary lang,” Haidee shares. “Kay nindot man gud siya sa pamati nga naka serbisyo ka sa Komunidad bisag kahibao ka nga way pabalik nimo. Isip usa ka lumulupyo ana nga lugar nindot siya nga apil ka ug naa kay kaalam unsay nahitabo sa imong barangay ug sainyohang purok.” 

Haidee believes that everyone can share their knowledge and expertise, and that understanding the community’s needs and seeing how one can help can make a huge difference. As one of the younger members of the community, she is proud to have seen the participation and willingness of different puroks that gathered for the very first Purok Day of the municipality. She recalls how, since 2012, the active members in Purok San Agustin have significantly increased, especially with the introduction of RAFI DRM’s Project BRAVE. 

Despite challenges in informing everyone in their purok due to geographical separation of houses, Haidee views this as an opportunity to turn inactive members into believers of community participation. “Mas mo dako ang Komunidad. Mas mo daghan ang active. Mas mo dako among damgo isip usa ka purok. Dili kay lain lain mi ug damgo, ikaw nga usa mao ni imong tumong. Ganahan nako nga usa mi ka purok, usa rasd among damgo, mo lahotay, mopadayon ug magpabiling nagtindog among purok,” she explains. 

Haidee also emphasized the importance of youth involvement in community-based activities. “Ang youth may mosunod. Diba kami mas maayo man nga naa mi kalabutang ug kalibutan daan about sa purok organization kay para sad if kami na pohon naa nami kalam na mahimo ug mashare ig kami na ang modala para mo sustain ug molahotay namo ang purok,” she added.

The Impact of a Strengthened Purok in Disaster Preparedness and Resilience 

The institutionalization of the purok system has proven to weave communities closer together. Leveraging the power and influence of a united community, we can be better prepared for disasters and adaptable to the effects of climate change.  

Phase 1 of Project Brave, which began in June 2023, highlights the functionality of the purok system by establishing governance structures, data systems, action plans, and community resilience-building measures. This will be followed by Phase II, focusing on leadership and governance, as well as technical Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) training to further strengthen these communities. 

RAFI and the Municipality of Boljoon extends of their partnership until 2026.This continued collaboration seeks to advance RAFI’s mission of empowering communities to be resilient in the face of disasters and adaptable to climate change. 

The project’s implementation highlights the role of each sector, member, and leader within the community, working collaboratively to achieve progress. Success is built through the collective efforts of individuals striving together for a better, more resilient community.