DILG calls for earthquake, tsunami preparedness in 6 regions

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) urges Local Government Units (LGUs) to maintain vigilance and implement critical preparation for potential earthquakes and tsunamis particularly in six key regions: Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the National Capital Region. 

The warning came despite the decline of seismic activities generated at the Manila Trench. 

On Thursday, December 26, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) announced that earthquakes in the Manila Trench had decreased with one recorded activity each for December 24 and 25. 

But days before Christmas, PHIVOLCS recorded a total number of 55 seismic activities off the coast of Ilocos Sur from the Manila Trench, sparking concerns over the possibility of high-magnitude quakes. 

The worst case scenario was expected to be an 8.4 magnitude earthquake. 

In a Friday advisory, the DILG asked all concerned Local Chief Executives (LCEs) to prepare for the potential intensification of earthquake sequence. 

The DILG called on the LGUs to convene their local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments, and enforce minimum early and critical preparedness measures as outlined in the L!STO manuals.

LISTO is set of instructions crafted to mitigate risks and exposure hazards specifically for LGUs’ response in disaster preparedness and management. 

The LGUs are also tasked with identifying and establishing evacuation routes, directional signs, and safe-zones for at-risk communities. 

They are also to organize and train response teams, preposition food supplies, temporary shelters, and debris-clearing equipment to ensure the availability of lifeline utilities. 

The DILG also alerted coastal communities with the possibility of tsunamis. They were advised to immediately move away from the shoreline and to high grounds if any signs of it occur. 

In a simulation done by PHIVOLCS, the Manila Trench could generate a tsunami with waves ranging from 3-15 meters in height. That is equivalent to 1-4 stories of a building. 

“Kapag nakalikha ito ng tsunami, ang unang alon ay  makakarating sa baybayin ng mga probinsya ng Zambales, Pangasinan, La  Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, at Cagayan sa loob ng dalawa (2)  hanggang 15 minuto. Samantala, ang taas ng alon ay maaaring umabot ng  tatlo hanggang 15 metro,” PHIVOLCS stated.