Barangay Disaster Preparedness: The BDRRMC, LDRRMF, and Your Household Plan
How disaster preparedness works at the barangay level — the BDRRMC under RA 10121, the 5% LDRRMF disaster fund, the barangay DRRM plan, household go-bag essentials, and what to do during typhoon, earthquake, fire, and flood.
The Philippines is one of the world's most disaster-exposed countries — typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, fires, and landslides are facts of life. Republic Act 10121 (the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) puts the barangay at the front line of preparedness. This guide explains what the BDRRMC is, how the disaster fund works, and what every household should have in place before the next typhoon arrives.
ℹ Info
Legal basis: RA 10121
The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121) reorganized national disaster management around four thematic areas:
- Disaster Prevention and Mitigation — reducing risk before disasters occur (hazard mapping, structural retrofitting, land use planning).
- Disaster Preparedness — capacity-building, training, drills, equipment, early warning systems.
- Disaster Response — search and rescue, evacuation, relief operations during the disaster.
- Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery — rebuilding and restoring normal life after the disaster.
The law established a national framework (NDRRMC) cascading down to regional (RDRRMC), provincial (PDRRMC), city/municipal (C/MDRRMC), and barangay (BDRRMC) committees. Each level has defined responsibilities and dedicated funding.
The LDRRMF: 5% disaster fund
Every LGU — including every barangay — must allocate at least 5% of its estimated regular income as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). For a typical mid-sized barangay receiving ₱3M-₱5M in NTA per year, this translates to ₱150,000-₱250,000 in dedicated disaster funding per year.
See our companion guide on how barangays are funded for the complete picture of where this money comes from.
The LDRRMF splits into two pools:
| Pool | Share | Allowed Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Preparedness | 70% | Equipment, training, drills, early warning systems, public information campaigns, hazard mapping |
| Quick Response Fund (QRF) | 30% | Reserved for actual disaster response: relief goods, emergency supplies, search and rescue operations |
The 70% preparedness portion must be obligated within the fiscal year for normal operations. The 30% QRF is a continuing appropriation — it carries over year after year if unused, building a contingency reserve.
⚠ Important
Who's on the BDRRMC and what they do
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) is the operational body. Composition under RA 10121:
- Chair: Punong Barangay (see captain's role and compensation)
- Vice-chair: Sangguniang Barangay member chairing the Peace and Order Committee
- SK Chairperson (for youth participation)
- Barangay Secretary (records management)
- Barangay health workers (BHWs)
- Chief Tanod / Barangay Public Safety Officer
- Two representatives from local women's organizations
- Representatives from civil society / NGOs operating in the barangay
- Other appointed community members (teachers, faith leaders, business owners, professionals)
Day-to-day responsibilities:
- Maintain the Barangay DRRM Plan and update annually
- Conduct quarterly drills (earthquake, fire, evacuation)
- Maintain inventory of equipment, supplies, and trained personnel
- Operate the Barangay Operations Center during alerts
- Coordinate with C/MDRRMC during incidents
- Verify household-level vulnerability information (senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, infants)
- Manage the LDRRMF disbursements and reporting
- Conduct public information campaigns during typhoon season and after major events
The Barangay DRRM Plan
A formal document, updated annually, that should include:
- Hazard maps identifying flood-prone, landslide-prone, fire-prone, and earthquake-vulnerable areas within the barangay. These should be posted in the barangay hall and shared with every purok leader.
- Vulnerability assessment — number of households, population, number of children under 5, seniors, PWDs, pregnant women, persons with chronic conditions (diabetes, heart, etc.).
- Evacuation routes and centers — designated facilities, their capacity, alternative routes if main roads are flooded or blocked.
- Communication protocols — alert chain (who calls whom and when), social media accounts, two-way radio channels.
- Equipment and supplies inventory — life vests, megaphones, flashlights, generators, first-aid kits, body bags (yes, body bags), stretchers, ropes, chainsaws.
- Trained personnel roster — who has WASAR (Water Search and Rescue) training, who is BLS-certified, who can operate the generator.
- Mutual aid agreements with neighboring barangays and the city/municipal DRRMO.
- Contingency scenarios — specific plans for typhoon, earthquake, fire, flood, and (in some regions) volcanic activity.
Household preparedness
The 72-hour go-bag
Standard recommendation from NDRRMC and DOH:
- Water: at least 3 liters per person per day × 3 days
- Food: non-perishable, ready-to-eat (canned goods, biscuits, instant noodles, energy bars)
- Manual can opener and multi-tool
- Flashlight + extra batteries (LED preferred for battery life)
- First aid kit + prescription medicines for 7 days
- Whistle (for signaling)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Cash in small bills (₱100s and ₱50s)
- Waterproof envelope with photocopies of: PhilSys ID, passport, birth certificates, marriage certificate, land title, insurance policies
- Spare phone charger and a fully-charged power bank
- Rain gear (poncho, raincoat)
- Sturdy closed shoes
- Spare clothing (one full change per person)
- Hygiene items: soap, sanitary pads, toothbrush, towel
- If applicable: baby formula, diapers, pet food, leash
Home preparation
- Identify the safest room (away from windows, on the highest floor for flood-prone areas)
- Know how to shut off your electricity, water, and LPG valves
- Keep an evacuation map of your barangay (request from barangay hall)
- Agree on a family meeting point in case you get separated
- Maintain a list of emergency contacts: barangay hall, nearest hospital, PNP, BFP, family
- Trim trees near your house before typhoon season
- Clear roof gutters and surrounding drainage
- Stock up on non-perishables BEFORE typhoon warnings (supplies sell out fast)
What to do during a disaster
Typhoon
- Monitor PAGASA (pagasa.dost.gov.ph) and NDRRMC bulletins
- Move to your barangay-designated evacuation center if instructed
- Bring your go-bag, IDs, medicines, and pet (if accommodated)
- Avoid wading through flood water — it may be contaminated or electrified
- Stay indoors during the worst hours; the "eye" is deceptively calm — winds resume after
Earthquake
- DROP — drop to the floor
- COVER — cover your head and neck, get under a sturdy desk if possible
- HOLD ON — wait until shaking stops
- After shaking stops, evacuate to an open area away from buildings, power lines, and trees
- Check for injuries among yourself and others
- Listen for tsunami warnings if you are near the coast
Fire
- Call BFP (911 or your barangay's emergency line) immediately
- Evacuate using stairs, never elevators
- If trapped, close doors between you and the fire, seal gaps with wet cloth, signal from a window
- Stay low — smoke rises
- If clothing catches fire: STOP, DROP, ROLL
Flood
- Move to higher ground immediately when advised
- Do not drive through flooded roads — six inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle
- Avoid contact with floodwater (sewage and electrical hazards)
- Listen for evacuation instructions
After: recovery and rehabilitation
The barangay's role doesn't end when the typhoon passes. Post-disaster activities funded by the LDRRMF and DSWD:
- Damage assessment and reporting to the C/MDRRMC
- Distribution of relief goods (food packs, water, blankets)
- Coordination with DSWD for AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) — see your Certificate of Indigency guide
- Health surveillance for diarrhea, leptospirosis, dengue, and other post-flood diseases
- Psychological first aid coordination with DOH and DSWD social workers
- Clearing of debris and road obstructions
- Rebuilding assistance referrals (NHA, SHFC, microcredit)
- Insurance claims facilitation for affected residents
Common Philippine hazards by region
| Hazard | Most at risk | Key reference |
|---|---|---|
| Typhoon (wind + storm surge) | All coastal regions; especially Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Northern Luzon | PAGASA |
| Flooding (riverine + urban) | Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Iloilo | PAGASA Hydro-Met |
| Earthquake + ground shaking | Manila, Davao, Cebu, Pampanga; all PHIVOLCS-mapped active faults | PHIVOLCS |
| Landslide | Cordillera, MIMAROPA, mountainous Bicol, Mindanao | MGB hazard maps |
| Volcanic eruption | Albay (Mayon), Batangas (Taal), Pampanga (Pinatubo), Davao (Apo), etc. | PHIVOLCS |
| Tsunami | Eastern Philippines coast, Davao Gulf, Moro Gulf | PHIVOLCS |
| Fire (urban) | Densely populated barangays in NCR, Davao City, Cebu City | BFP |
| Drought | Southern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Central Luzon | PAGASA Climate |
Know your specific risks. Ask your barangay for the hazard map. If your barangay doesn't have one, the city DRRMO does — and you have a right to request a copy under EO No. 2 (2016) on Freedom of Information.
The cheapest disaster is the one you prepared for. The expensive one is the disaster that arrived first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BDRRMC?
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) is the barangay-level body required by Republic Act 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) to lead disaster preparedness, response, and recovery within the barangay. It is chaired by the Punong Barangay and includes representatives from health, education, civil society, and the Sangguniang Kabataan.
How much funding does the barangay get for disaster preparedness?
Under RA 10121 and the Local Government Code, every barangay must allocate at least 5% of its estimated regular income as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). Of this, 70% is for pre-disaster preparedness (training, equipment, drills, early warning systems) and 30% is the Quick Response Fund (QRF) reserved for response to actual disasters. Unused QRF rolls over to the next year as continuing appropriations.
Who is on the BDRRMC?
The committee composition under RA 10121 includes: the Punong Barangay as chairperson; the Sangguniang Barangay Member chairing the Peace and Order Committee; the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson; the Barangay Secretary; barangay health workers; the Barangay Public Safety Officer / chief tanod; representatives from local women's organizations; representatives from local CSOs/NGOs; and other community members appointed by the Punong Barangay.
What is a Barangay DRRM Plan?
A formal document the BDRRMC must produce containing: hazard maps of the barangay (identifying flood-prone, landslide-prone, fire-prone areas); evacuation routes and centers; communication and alerting protocols; inventory of equipment and supplies; roster of trained responders; mutual aid agreements with neighboring barangays; and a contingency plan for typhoon, earthquake, fire, and flood scenarios. The plan must be updated annually and approved by the Sangguniang Barangay.
How can I help my barangay during a disaster?
Several ways: volunteer with the BDRRMC for training in basic first aid, search and rescue, and incident command; help maintain accurate household inventories (who lives where, who has special needs); assist in evacuation drills; donate to the barangay's QRF supplies inventory (canned food, bottled water, blankets); help relay information during incidents if you have skills in radio, social media, or translation; check on senior citizen and PWD neighbors during alerts.
What should be in a household disaster go-bag?
The standard DOH and NDRRMC recommendation: at least 3 days of bottled water (3 liters per person per day); non-perishable food (canned goods, biscuits, instant noodles); flashlight + extra batteries; first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, prescription medicines for 7 days); whistle; basic tools (multi-tool, can opener); battery-powered or hand-crank radio; cash in small bills; photocopies of IDs, birth certificates, land titles in a waterproof envelope; spare phone charger / power bank; rain gear; sturdy shoes; spare clothing; baby supplies if applicable; pet supplies if applicable.
Where do I go if there's a typhoon evacuation alert?
Each barangay designates evacuation centers — typically the barangay hall, public schools, covered courts, or church facilities. Find your barangay's designated centers BEFORE a disaster by visiting the barangay hall or checking the official Facebook page. During an actual alert, monitor PAGASA (pagasa.dost.gov.ph), the NDRRMC, your LGU's social media, and follow instructions from your barangay tanods and the BDRRMC.
Does the LDRRMF expire if unused?
The 70% preparedness component is treated as a regular appropriation — generally use-it-or-lose-it within the fiscal year, though carry-over is allowed for specific multi-year projects. The 30% QRF is a continuing appropriation — it accumulates year over year if unused, building a contingency reserve. COA can audit and disallow disbursements that don't qualify under the LDRRMF allowed uses.
What hazards does my barangay actually face?
Depends on geography. Coastal barangays face storm surge, sea-level rise, and typhoon flooding. River-valley and floodplain barangays face flash floods. Mountain and steep-slope barangays face landslides. Volcano-adjacent barangays face lahar, ashfall, and pyroclastic flow. Fault-zone barangays face earthquakes and tsunamis. Your BDRRMC must publish hazard maps — request them from the barangay hall. PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau also publish national hazard atlases online.
What is the difference between Yellow, Orange, and Red rainfall warnings?
PAGASA rainfall warnings: YELLOW = 7.5-15mm/hr, flooding possible in low-lying areas, be alert; ORANGE = 15-30mm/hr, flooding threatening, prepare to evacuate; RED = above 30mm/hr (or 65mm in 3 hours), severe flooding imminent or occurring, evacuate flood-prone areas immediately. Typhoon Wind Signals (TWS 1-5) are a separate scale measuring sustained wind speed. Both can be issued simultaneously.