GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has reiterated that earthquakes are unpredictable, cautioning the public to remain vigilant and prepared at all times.
“Marami-rami rin tayong mga active faults na pwedeng gumalaw anytime, anywhere pero hindi natin masasabi kung kailan at anong oras,” said Nane Danlag, the officer-in-charge of Phivolcs General Santos City Station during the recent press conference on earthquake preparedness 2025.
(We also have quite a few active faults that can move anytime, anywhere, but we can’t say when and at what time.)
According to her, among the active faults in Region 12, the Makilala-Malungon Fault has the potential to produce the ‘Big One’ or a magnitude-7.2 earthquake.
This is followed by the North Cotabato and South Columbio Faults, both of which can generate a magnitude-6.8 earthquake; the M’lang Fault has a potential to generate a magnitude-6.8 quake; the Makilala Fault,magnitude-6.5; and the Balabag Fault, magnitude-6.4.
Danlag then clarified that Phivolcs cannot predict the specific date and time, nor the location of an earthquake.
She said that there is no existing technology or scientific instrument, locally or globally, that can predict the occurrence of an earthquake.
“Liwanagin po natin, [kung] ano po yung depth ng lindol, saan po magiging ang epicenter, wala pong sinasabi o [nakaka-alam] kasi nga earthquake cannot be predicted. Until now wala tayong instrument pa sa buong mundo na makakapredict kailan magkakaroon ng isang lindol,” Danlag pointed out.
(Let’s clarify that, until today, there is no information or knowledge available that can predict the depth or epicenter of an impending earthquake. To date, we still do not have any instruments in the world that can predict when an earthquake will occur.)
Organized by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 12, the press conference emphasized the significance of a whole-of-society approach in disaster preparedness, particularly in anticipation of earthquakes.
OCD Regional Director Raylindo Aniñon said.“Ang ginagawa nating presscon ngayon, earthquake preparedness presscon, we will be going above and beyond sa ‘yung ginagawa natin sa National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, or NSED,”
(In today’s earthquake preparedness press conference, we are committed to exceeding expectations in our preparations for the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill.)
He stated that the upcoming NSED will now shift to a “functional exercise” to assess the readiness of RDRRMC member agencies, local governments, and other disaster response clusters in the region.
Aniñon added that engaging various sectors, including government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, and the media, is vital to ensure that preparedness measures reach and empower communities.
The move, he said, was also part of the RDRRMC’s proactive measures to provide communities with accurate information and practical strategies to mitigate earthquake risks and impacts.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bong Dacera Jr., General Santos City DRRMO, acknowledged the essential role of the media in enhancing public awareness and readiness.
“Ang media po ay napakalaki po ang tulong sa pagpeprepare po ng communities (the media plays a significant role in preparing communities),” Dacera noted, urging them to continue their efforts in combating the spread of fake news and disinformation on social media and other platforms. (SRMP, PIA SarGen)
