Home | To bottom

OCD: Preparedness best weapon vs. big quakes

BAGUIO CITY (May 29) — Preparedness is still the best weapon against loss of lives and properties during strong earthquakes, claimed the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)- Cordillera as it sought for a city government ordinance for earthquake drills.

OCD-Cordillera Director Vicente Tomazar said they would request the City Council to make an ordinance on the conduct of massive drills, adding that there should be regular earthquake drills especially in big establishments.

“We are monitoring alertness even if there is no disaster yet because quakes don’t give any warning,” the OCD official said. He insists that residents should increase their preparedness and awareness. He added that training on collapsed structures is also important.

Reports show that during the 1990 killer quake, most of the fatalities here were at collapsed hotels and structures such as the Hyatt Hotel along Southdrive, Nevada Hotel, and other high-rise buildings. The city was one of the most ravaged areas in Northern Luzon during the 1990 killer quake.

Last April 24, City Hall employees, students at an elementary school and patrons at the SM Mall participated in a fire drill.

Meanwhile, government geologists say that Baguio City actually sits on crisscrossing fault lines. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Cordillera had also identified various areas in the city as geologic hazards.

MGB-Cordillera Engr. Felizardo Gacad Jr. said they are continuously identifying geohazards in the mountain region and are mapping them out for the local government and the public’s knowledge.

MGB-CAR Director Neoman dela Cruz has been campaigning for a closer dialogue and coordination with local government units all over the region on geohazard mapping to guide government units for zoning. # Ace Allegre for NORDIS

Post your comments, reactions to this article

Home | Back to top