WITH a string of calamities hitting many parts of the country, no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself had asked Filipinos to create a plan and be prepared for disasters such as storms and earthquakes.

President Marcos Jr., acknowledged that earthquakes hitting several areas had affected the everyday lives of Filipinos.

“Dahil ang Pilipinas ay nasa Pacific Ring of Fire na tinatawag kung kaya very prone tayo sa mga ganitong sakuna at kalamidad. Lindol man o pagsasabog ng bulkan, kailangan natin lalo pang paigtingin ang ating disaster preparedness and response,” Marcos said here in his vlog.

This is why Marcos called on all Filipinos to make the necessary steps for their own safety amid disasters and calamities.

“Unang-una, magplano. Magkaroon ng plano at alam ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya kung ano ‘yung plano na ‘yun. Pati na ‘yung mga kasambahay. Saan ang evacuation area? Saan tayo tatakbo? Saan ang meeting place kapag lumindol? Saan ba pupunta? Saan tayo magkikita-kita?” he said.

He said that those who are outside the house should know where to go in case disaster strikes, he added.

Should there be no safe place, children must know what to do during an earthquake.

Marcos Jr. said that a Go Bag is essential nowadays.

“Ang pangalawa, maghanda po kayo ng go bag. Ano nga ba ‘yung go bag? Ano bang nasa loob ng go bag? Mga importanteng dokumento, papeles, at pag-aari na hindi talaga natin puwedeng maiwan,” he said.

Among those that should be included are survival items such as food, canned goods, biscuits, water, first aid kit, medicines, emergency hygiene kit, flashflight, whistle, lighters.

It can also have a rugged phone, radio, and emergency cash. 

“‘Pag kailangan tatakbo, nakahanda na ‘yan, hindi na kayo maghahanap at mangongolekta ng inyong mga gamit,” he said.

The President lauded local government units who had recently issued go bags to their constituents.

“Sundan niyo po ‘yun. Nandoon po lahat ang pangangailangan natin sa emergency,” he said.