WHEN THE FLOODWATERS RISE, PREPAREDNESS SAVES LIVES
MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR – In the flood-prone and disaster-prone municipality of Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, preparedness is a necessity : it saves lives. Among the most vulnerable communities is Barangay Bagoenged, where families face recurring floods, droughts, and conflicts. To equip the community with vital skills and strengthen local disaster response, residents recently participated in a flood community drill, supported by EU Humanitarian Aid through the ACCESS project. Ultimately, this initiative of Action Against Hunger, will ensure that no one is left behind during the next emergency.
Pagalungan, a low-lying municipality in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), faces persistent flood risks due to its geographical location. Its vulnerability is further exacerbated by factors such as topography, climate conditions, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure, leaving many of its barangays highly exposed to recurring disasters.
Among these barangays is Bagoenged, situated along the Mindanao River. Its proximity to the waterway makes it particularly prone to flooding, forcing residents to evacuate multiple times to ensure their safety. Aside from floods, the community also faces hazards such as drought and local conflict, making disaster preparedness an essential priority for its residents.
Recognizing the urgency of building resilience, and thanks to the support of the EU Humanitarian Aid, Action Against Hunger organized a drill through the ACCESS project. Community members of Barangay Bagoenged took a proactive step by participating in this flood drill on February 11. The drill included simulation activities aim to enhance local disaster response and equipping residents with crucial emergency response and management skills.
More than 270 households participated in the simulation, underscoring the community’s commitment to disaster preparedness and safety. The activity engaged not only residents, but also key members of the local government, barangay emergency response teams, and health and medical personnel trained through the ACCESS project.

In picture : Bai Abas, barangay health worker and a member of the community’s medical team.
Beyond the drill, the initiative focused on equipping residents with practical knowledge on emergency response. “Isa sa mga naitulong sa amin ng ACCESS ay ang skills development (One of the things ACCESS has helped us with is skills development),” shared Bai Abas, a barangay health worker and a member of the community’s medical team. “Dahil sa skills development sessions namin, natuto kami kung paano namin isasagawa ang aming leadership training tungkol sa, halimbawa, early warning systems kapag may sakuna, at naibabahagi namin ito sa kapwa naming health workers at barangay officials. (Because of our skills development sessions, we learned how to conduct leadership training on, for example, early warning systems during disasters, and we are able to share this knowledge with our fellow health workers and barangay officials.)”
The flood drill tested the community’s ability to respond effectively to severe flooding – ensuring that families knew where to go, what actions to take, and how to stay safe in an actual emergency. With support from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), barangay officials, emergency responders, and community volunteers, the drill covered key preparedness measures. These include the activation of an early warning system for timely flood alerts, safe and efficient evacuation procedures with a focus on vulnerable groups, and rescue and first aid demonstrations. Coordination exercises between responders and local government units further reinforced collaboration for a more effective disaster response.
MDRRM Officer Benjamin Alip emphasized the critical role of such drills in saving lives and reducing risks, particularly in flood-prone communities like Bagoenged.

In picture : Abdulgapor Maneged, acting Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Chairperson
“Malaking bagay na natutunan ito ng mga tao para malaman nila kung paano yung mabilis at wastong paglikas tuwing may sakuna, lalo na pag may baha
(It is a great thing that people have learned this so that they know how to evacuate quickly and properly during disasters, especially floods),” – Abdulgapor Maneged MDRRM Chairperson
Abdulgapor Maneged, acting Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Chairperson also highlighted how community cooperation played a crucial role in the barangay’s progress, stating, “Malaki rin ang naging development ng aming barangay hindi lang dahil sa suporta ng ACCESS, pero dahil na rin sa kooperasyon ng aming mga kasamahan na sibilyan. (Our barangay has also developed greatly not only because of the support of ACCESS but also because of the cooperation of our community members.)”
While community drills play a vital role in strengthening emergency response, they can only go so far. Gaps in emergency preparedness and mitigation, such as the need for improved infrastructure, sustainable early warning systems, and long-term climate adaptation strategies, must also be addressed. However, activities like this ensure that no one is left behind when disasters strike. By providing residents with life-saving skills and fostering a culture of preparedness, these initiatives help safeguard lives and enhance community resilience against future hazards.
Action Against Hunger has been working with vulnerable and hazard-prone communities in Mindanao for 25 years, supporting efforts to strengthen resilience against disasters and improve food security, nutrition, and access to safe water. Through projects like ACCESS, the organization continues to empower communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to mitigate risks and respond effectively to emergencies
ABOUT THE ACCESS PROJECT
This community drill is part of a broader effort under the program, ‘Assisting the Most Vulnerable Communities and Schools Affected by Complex Emergencies to Access Quality and Timely Humanitarian and Disaster Preparedness Services’ better known as the ACCESS project. The multi-year program, which began in 2023 and will conclude in June 2025, addresses intersecting and compounding risks, including chronic conflict and violence, that continue to plague Mindanao and other parts of the country. Over the past five years, the consortium partners have worked to establish and strengthen the Equitable Partnership Alliance, a network of competent and committed organizations ready to respond rapidly to humanitarian crises and address the unmet needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Through this initiative, the consortium has provided multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance, including food aid, shelter and settlements, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), primary health and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), education in emergencies, and protection services. Additionally, the project has bolstered disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and rapid response capacities among local government units, communities, and civil society organizations.
The ACCESS consortium, funded by the EU Humanitarian Aid, comprises both international and local organizations, namely, CARE, Action Against Hunger, Save the Children, Humanity and Inclusion, Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD), Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP), Integrated Mindanaoans Association for Natives (IMAN), Notre Dame of Jolo College Community Extension Services and Peace Center (NDJC), Nagdilaab Foundation, and Leading Individuals to Flourish and Thrive (LIFT).