MANILA — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has alerted local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon to prepare their earthquake and tsunami evacuation plans after a series of earthquakes occurred offshore of Ilocos Sur in the past few days.
OCD chief Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno called for an immediate meeting and ordered regional directors in these areas to ensure readiness of their localities for potential tsunamis.
Article continues after this advertisement“Regional Directors 1, 2, and 3, please work closely and urgently with your partner [national government agencies] and LGUs, especially the [Department of the Interior and Local Government],” Nepomuceno said in a statement Saturday.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO LPA outside PAR develops into tropical depression on Saturday NEWSINFO Banknotes with PH historical figures to remain in circulation – BSP NEWSINFO Tropical depression lingers outside PAR; shear line, amihan affect PH“Check preparations for earthquakes, with a possible tsunami resulting from the movement of the Manila Trench. Delve into the details as discussed in the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell meeting today. I understand that your areas are not as prepared as we desire, but we must remedy this situation now,” he added.
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golden slotArticle continues after this advertisementNepomuceno said the ongoing tremors west of Ilocos Sur have diminished, although there is still an opportunity to enhance earthquake preparedness significantly.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 49 earthquakes from Dec. 17 to 20 off Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur.
Article continues after this advertisementThe strongest recorded quake was a magnitude 5.0 tremor on Dec. 19 at around 9 a.m.
The sequence earthquake, based on Phivolcs’ study, is associated with the active subduction along the Manila Trench, a long, narrow depression in the seafloor located west of the islands of Luzon and Mindoro.
Article continues after this advertisementThe OCD chief underscored the urgency of community readiness.
“Double-check preparations and ‘reactions’ (not just responses after an incident) in case of a tsunami, assuming that warnings are effective. What can be done in 20 minutes by the vulnerable communities?” he said.
“I know it’s challenging, especially since we have not yet achieved our ideal level of preparedness and with the holidays approaching. But please do your best despite the limitations,” he added.
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The country’s balance of payments (BOP) position recorded a $3.5-billion surplus in September, a reversal from the $414-million deficit posted a year ago, the BSP said in a report.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has issued a memorandum directing OCD Regional Offices I, II, and III to undertake specific actions related to local tsunami preparedness.
Signed by Director Cesar Idiomango win, officer in charge of the Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Operations, the order outlines several key actions, including drafting a tsunami evacuation plan. (with Priam Nepomuceno)
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