THE Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is urging the public to participate in earthquake drills in observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month adding that the drills may raise the province’s preparedness especially since five areas in Misamis Oriental have active fault lines.
Jeric Abasa, Assistant PDRRM Officer, said these fault lines include the Alubjid-Lanao thrust fault, Tagoloan fault, Magsaysay fault, Balingasag-Cabanglasan fault, and the Gingoog Mindanao Central fault line.
Abasa said if any of these fault lines move, surrounding areas will be affected.
"Mao ni ang gihatag nga information sa Phivolcs," Abasa said.
Abasa said they have been coordinating with the schools to effectively deliver vital information in times of calamities.
"Sa mga schools diha ang bulto sa mga tao during these days but iapil nato sa orientation ang community and the parents," Abasa said.
The PDRMMO has also started checking hazardous school buildings that would possibly collapse during earthquake.
"Gina collate pa nato karon and padayon ang inspection sa mga school buildings and government buildings," Abasa said.
Abasa said after collating, hazardous school buildings will be recommended for structural repairs.
PDRRMO aims to create school watching team (Swat), composition of schools DRRM team, School DRRM plan, school twinning, School hazard mapping report.
"And himoon nato nga monthly naa maremind ang mga schools Aron dili malimoy kay naa man ta ihatag nga manual,"Abasa said.
The earthquake drill will start on June 28 until the whole month of July.
Meanwhile, Malacañang is encouraging the public to participate in the second nationwide earthquake drill on Wednesday, June 22.
Following the success of the 2015 quake drill, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, along with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will hold the second quarter nationwide earthquake drill, which simulates the aftermath of a 7.2 magnitude tremor.
“Let us support the Metro Shake drill that will be conducted,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in an interview with state-run DZRB.
“It is important that all the people participate in the drill because our objective here is the actual participation of most of our countrymen,” he added.
Coloma said public’s participation will help them get prepared in the event of a catastrophic earthquake.
The drill, which will start at 9 a.m., will present different scenarios will be realistically simulated in various areas when the West Valley Fault moves.
Apart from instilling the “duck, cover, hold” position, the earthquake drill aims to increase people’s awareness to help them learn to survive and be able to assist potential victims as well. (With reports from Sunnex)