Community Coping and Recovery

Hands-on barangay governance aided to rationalize utilization of disaster relief from various sources. At least three of these villages – Tuyan, Muntay, and Nalapaan – demonstrated the workings of functional democratic processes in and out of crisis situation, providing the enabling environment that made possible the realization of positive changes. Interestingly enough, Tuyan and Nalapaan are tripeople barangays that had a bitter history of interethnic strife and are now both led by retired soldiers. Muntay, on the other hand, is home to a mixed Muslim and Christian population, both migrants to the area in the last forty years. Evident in all three villages is the respectful tolerance for cultural differences that neighbors have for each other.

Filling in the void of ill-functioning barangay governance in some of these villages were civilian volunteers well-positioned to mediate with line agencies, civil society groups, and development organizations for the needs of their community. Traditional authority figures like spiritual leaders and public school teachers were also indicated to be influential in providing a calming presence and sober advice on community action.