CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) urges the public, both individually and collectively, to prepare for the occurence of disasters such as earthquakes.
In an interview on Sulong Southern Tagalog on Friday, March 7, Reyan Derrick C. Marquez, Civil Defense Officer V of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) CALABARZON, discussed the critical issue of earthquake preparedness in the Philippines, a nation highly vulnerable to seismic activity due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
“Ang ating geography sa Pilipinas ay malapit tayo sa Pacific Ring of Fire kaya hindi talaga natin maiiwasan ‘yung pagkakaroon ng lindol. Hindi rin natin mape-predict kung kailan mangyayari ang mga lindol at hindi rin natin mape-prevent…ang kaya lang nating gawin ay paghandaan,” Marquez said.
He explained that earthquakes, caused by the movement and collision of tectonic plates beneath the earth’s surface, continue to pose significant risks to communities, especially those near fault lines.
“Kapag sinabi nating lindol, ito yung mahina hanggang malalakas ng pagyanig ng lupa so nangyayari po ito kapag yung mga plates ay naguumpugan o gumagalaw. Yung mga plates pong ‘yan pag gumagalaw ay naaapektuhan yung mga lugar lalo na ‘yung malapit sa mga plates na ito o ‘yung mga active faults o bitak sa kalupaan,” he explained.
Marquez urged the communities to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and the structural integrity of their homes.
“Kailangan maging pamilyar tayo sa ating lugar. Kailangan maging pamilyar tayo [kung] nasaan ba yung mga evacuation areas na designated sa mga local government units. I-check natin yung mga bahay natin kung kaya bang tumindig kung malakas yung pagyanig, tama ba yung mga materyales na ginamit sa bahay at kaya bang kumpunihin. Maaaring [may] mga gamit na nasa uluhan natin baka bumagsak ‘yan so dapat ay fixed yan. Tapos yung exit routes sa mga bahay natin dapat alam natin, hindi naman po natin malalaman kung anong oras [ang lindol] mangyayari so dapat pamilyar tayo kung saan lalabas ng ligtas tayo at yung mga kasamahan natin sa bahay,” he said.
He also noted that it is important to plan ahead, especially if your family members are far apart.
“Mahalagang pagplanuhan lalo na kung malalayo po gusto niyo magkita-kita sa isang lugar saan magkikita-kita kung maganap itong pagyanig para once na dumating yung peligro, alam ng mga kamag-anak natin saan magkikita na lugar na ligtas para sa atin,” he said.
He also recommended assembling a “Go Bag” with essential items– a critical tool needed in the event of a quake.
“Mahalaga po yung “Go Bag” [kasi] ‘yun po yung dadamputin natin once magkalindol. Nandoon yung mga importanteng dokumento natin, pagkain, kung tayo’y kinakailangan pumunta sa mga evacuation centers importanteng mayroon tayong pampalit na damit, mga medicines, flashlight at syempre silbato [or whistle] na maaari nating gamitin pang-tawag o i-alarma yung mga kasamahan natin,” he advised.
Marquez also stressed the significance of community-based preparedness, advocating for participation in local earthquake drills to develop muscle memory and increase awareness of proper response measures.
“Isa po sa pinakamahalaga na malaman natin kung may plano pala yung ating komunidad, yung city o municipality, makihalok po tayo kung mayroong mga [earthquake] drills. Sumama po tayo para magkaroon ng muscle memory, alam natin kung anong gagawin at matulungan natin yung mga kasamahan natin,” he said.
Marquez also called for calmness during seismic events, highlighting the importance of maintaining a clear mind, particularly for those residing in higher floors of buildings.
“Lastly, maging kalmado kasi minsan presence of mind din eh lalo na yung mga nakatira sa second o fourth floor. In such situations, it’s easy to panic, especially when the shaking is intense. We need to remember that presence of mind can save lives,” he urged.
The Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) for the first quarter of 2025 will be conducted on Thursday, March 13. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
