With two powerful earthquakes that recently struck Cebu and Davao still fresh in our memories, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered local chief executives to strictly enforce critical earthquake and tsunami preparedness measures.
The DILG said local government units must act urgently and consistently to protect lives and infrastructure by regularly updating emergency protocols, evacuation plans, and response systems, and disseminate those to the public.
It urged local engineering teams to inspect critical infrastructure and prevent people from reoccupying damaged structures after an earthquake.
Residents in coastal areas must be advised to be observant of tsunami warning signs such as strong ground shaking, sudden change in the level of seawater, and unusual sounds coming from the ocean. When a tsunami warning is hoisted, preemptive evacuation of residents from coastal and low lying areas must be carried out, and forced evacuations when waves become unusually high after earthquakes.
The DILG also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, and rely on official updates, especially when it comes to disasters and calamities.
Although Negros Island was not directly affected, the recent powerful earthquakes are a sobering reminder that the Philippines sits directly on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where aside from volcanic activity, we are also quite vulnerable to earthquakes. That means our homes, communities, and cities always have to be prepared for one. Aside from LGUs having the necessary preparedness measures, we have to collectively ensure that our homes and offices must be built and maintained up to code, individual and family go bags, and evacuation plans prepared, and ensure that everyone is educated and updated on what to do when big ones actually strike.
Communities will never be fully protected from powerful natural disasters. However, those that are prepared will be able to minimize the damage and loss to life and property, as well as have the ability to recover quicker. Let’s make sure our communities, homes, and places of work are among those.*
