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Tuesday, April 11, 2017
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EARTHQUAKES can occur without warning. There is no way to predict what will happen when it does. But there is a way to survive and minimize casualties and damages. Preparation is half the battle won.
The government-led yearly earthquake drills must be taken seriously by everybody. Everyone is encouraged to participate. The drills must be done regularly and its frequency increased.
We need to accept that we are constantly exposed to natural hazards but we do not have to live in perpetual fear of it. There are laws that aim to help us become proactive to addressing these natural hazards so they would not turn into disasters.
According to the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2004, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake may destroy 40 percent of residential buildings, cause 34,000 deaths, injure 114,000 individuals, and the ensuing fires may also result in 18,000 additional fatalities.
The regular conduct of fire and earthquake drills most especially in schools, offices and residential communities would effectively instill disaster preparedness among citizens.
We must also establishment early warning systems for earthquake and tsunami; determine open spaces for safe refuge when temblors occur; and craft evacuation plans that would help citizens find out the fastest and safest way to reach open spaces and other safe areas.
We need to take disaster preparedness seriously and cooperation among all sectors of society is very important.
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