SAN JOSE, Antique – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Antique has been preparing Antique for possible earthquakes.
“There’s no total preparedness for earthquakes since we are confronting a natural hazard. However, we’re almost there. We know how to absorb, respond, and recover,” said PDRRMO chief Broderick Train.
He shared the following tips on how families can prepare and respond to earthquakes:
* Avoid placing objects on top of cabinets since majority of injuries during an earthquake is from falling objects.
* Families should be familiar of the route to evacuation areas.
* When entering new buildings, everyone should stay vigilant and check where the fire exits and fire extinguishers are.
* People should participate in simulation exercises and trainings conducted by the PDRRMO.
* Families should assess the risk in their homes, where potential safe zones and hazard zones are.
* Prepare a grab-and- go bag for temporary survival, containing food for at least three days, flashlights, whistles, water, medicines, money, tools, and other necessities.
Antique was rattled recently by a series of mild earthquakes from the towns of Anini-y to Valderrama.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the province’s earthquake generators include the West Panay Fault, which is active in classification; the collision zone between Negros trench and Mindoro trench; and another collision zone between the Palawan and Panay blocks.
“Our main weapon is preparing our communities and making them aware what to do when big earthquakes happen,” said Train.
Every quarter, the PDRRMP conducts earthquake simulation exercises, participated especially by to those living in mountain areas where earthquakes can cause landslides, tsunami, liquefaction, and possible collapse of structures. (Macky Torrechilla, PDRRMO-Antique/PN)
