ILOILO City – In response to a series of recent earthquakes, including a magnitude 5.8 tremor that struck San Francisco, Southern Leyte on January 23, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas has issued safety guidelines to help residents minimize risks and potential damage in the event of an earthquake in the region.
Citing the unpredictability of earthquakes, Regional Director Raul Fernandez emphasized the importance of preparedness.
“Earthquakes can happen anytime, anywhere, and without warning. Know how to prepare. Be alert. Be safe. Be informed,” Fernandez said.
The agency advised the public to take the following precautionary measures:
* Familiarize yourself with fire extinguisher locations, medical kits, exit routes, and evacuation plans.
* Assess and reinforce weak structures in your home.
* Properly store hazardous and flammable materials.
* Secure heavy furniture and hanging objects.
* Prepare a “Go Bag” containing essential survival items.
* Participate in earthquake drills at work and in the community.
According to OCD-6 spokesperson Maria Cristina Mayor, nearly all local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas comply with the mandated quarterly earthquake drills.
“Almost all of our LGUs in Western Visayas conduct earthquake and evacuation drills as required by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),” Mayor said.
She noted that LGUs unable to conduct their own drills often collaborate with agencies like the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), or schools to practice earthquake response techniques, including the “duck, cover, and hold” method.
Mayor highlighted the importance of these drills in ensuring LGUs are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for disaster response, as they serve as first responders during emergencies.
“These exercises assess LGUs’ capabilities in terms of responders, logistics management, communication, and response mechanisms,” she added.
While conducting earthquake drills is not legally mandatory, Mayor explained that LGUs aiming to receive the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award must meet the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) component, which includes earthquake drills. OCD-6 also considers these drills when evaluating LGUs for the Gawad Kalasag Award.
Recent Earthquakes and Their Impact
On January 23, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck 10.01 kilometers southeast of San Francisco, Southern Leyte, causing damage to infrastructure, including 324 classrooms — 28 of which were completely destroyed, 77 severely damaged, and 219 sustaining minor damage.
Hours later, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte at 11:41 a.m., with a depth of focus of 43 kilometers. The tremor was felt in various intensities across different areas:
* Intensity V – Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; Isabela City
* Intensity IV – Zamboanga City; Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte; Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur; Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay
* Intensity III – Dipolog City; President Manuel A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte; Buug and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay
* Intensity II – San Jose, Antique; Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur
* Intensity I – Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Instrumental Intensity IV was recorded in Zamboanga City, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity and urge the public to remain vigilant and prepared./PN
