Local government units in Western Visayas are preparing for the wide-scale conduct of earthquake evacuation drills following the recent string of strong tremors in Davao and Cebu. Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) chairperson Raul Fernandez, in an interview on Thursday, underscored the importance of holding evacuation drills, noting that the number of participants in the quarterly national simultaneous earthquake drills is dwindling.
He said there is a need to emphasize the proper response protocol.
Based on various postings on social media sites, affected individuals panicked and ran in several directions instead of doing the ‘duck, cover, and hold’ method.
‘It means they are not aware of what to do,’ Fernandez said.
The first batch will be a simultaneous drill for Antique and the province and city of Iloilo, scheduled for October 23, and Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras on October 24. ‘We will integrate the possible tsunami scenario in case the Negros trench will move and generate a tsunami,’ he said.
On Thursday afternoon, RDRRMC and the Office of the Civil Defense convened the local DRRMCs to discuss the specifics of the drill.
Fernandez noted that Western Visayas has its own ‘Big One’ to prepare due to the presence of a major fault system, the West Panay Fault.
The fault system passes through the municipalities of Libacao, Madalag, and Malinao in Aklan; Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz; Sibalom, San Remegio, Valderrama, and Pandan; and San Joaquin, Miagao, Igbaras, Tubungan Leon, Alimodian, Janiuay, and Lambunao in Iloilo.
The last time it moved was in 1948, or over 70 years ago, causing a magnitude 8.2 quake.
It was the second biggest earthquake recorded in the country and caused widespread damage in Panay.
With the series of movements in other fault systems in the country, Fernandez said it would not be discounted that the Panay fault might move at any time.
He said part of the preparations is a massive information drive to raise public awareness.
‘They must be properly informed. The source of their information must be reliable sources. They also have to take this seriously; they have to learn the proper response,’ he said.
Reliable sources include the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and local DRRM councils.
Fernandez also urged households to be prepared with their Go Bags so that they will have provisions in case of massive destruction and essential services are disrupted.
Go Bags contain basic survival kits that include food and water, medicines, clothing, documents, a radio monitor, a flashlight, and a whistle, among others.