Legazpi city: The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 5 in Bicol has directed local government units (LGUs) within the region to revise their contingency and disaster response plans due to a series of strong earthquakes and weather disturbances.
According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Yucot, chairperson of the Office of Civil Defense 5 and RDRRMC-5, stated that the reports submitted by the LGUs will undergo a review process to identify any gaps. Based on these evaluations, corrective actions will be recommended, and a comprehensive regional plan for earthquake and tsunami preparedness will be formulated. Yucot emphasized the need for a consolidated approach to ensure readiness in the face of potential disasters.
The LGUs have been encouraged to collaborate with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to map nearby fault lines and organize earthquake drills within the month. An evaluation team, comprising representatives from the departments of social welfare, the Interior and local government, education, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other agencies, will be formed to analyze the reports. This team will also recommend actions to the national level for any issues that cannot be resolved regionally.
Yucot highlighted the importance of providing “go bags” as part of their assessment, underscoring their necessity during emergencies. “It’s important because we have experience with earthquakes. Having go bags ready to grab and evacuate is essential,” he said, stressing the importance of readiness for potential earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 7.0 to 8.0.
He clarified that the intention is not to incite fear but to underline the importance of preparedness. “The goal is to ensure that our citizens are always ready and prepared for such events, both now and in the future,” Yucot explained, noting that this is an ongoing effort rather than a one-time initiative. This continuous endeavor aims to help people develop a routine memory and become accustomed to proper actions in the event of an earthquake or in tsunami-prone areas.