A TOTAL of 60 barangays in Davao City currently sits along the Central Davao Fault System, which can trigger a 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
According to Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Central Davao Fault System has five segments -- the Tamugan Fault with 25 kilometers (kms) length and can produce 6.7-magnitude earthquake; Lacson Fault with 33 kms and can trigger a 6.8-magnitude quake; 18-kilometer Dacudao Fault with 6.5-magnitude quake; Pangyan-Biao with 33 kms and 6.8-magnitude quake; and the 12-kilometer New Carmen Fault that may cause a 6.3-magnitude earthquake.
Earthquakes being unpredictable forces of nature, can strike anytime without any warning.
Therefore, it is important for the residents and the city to be ready should an earthquake -- God forbid -- happen.
It is good to note that the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Davao Region, Phivolcs, Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMC), and a representative from the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (Arena 11) have conducted an awareness campaign among the residents living along the fault line.
People living along the fault line should take these warnings seriously and make necessary preparations like making their homes disaster ready and family members have the necessary information on how to respond when earthquakes strike.
The local government unit will also have to take into consideration to update its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. At least, future developers will be aware where to safely put up their projects.
Despite the serious warning of Phivolcs, it also pointed out that it is up to the local government unit to decide whether it will relocate those living in the area.
“Removal of houses is a very delicate subject and it should be discussed among the residents and the locals. What’s important is they are informed that the fault transects their building so they have better information, therefore, they need better preparedness,” Phivolcs director and DOST Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.
As American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee puts it, “It’s better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret.”