The government is "doing all it can" to boost the country's preparedness in incidents such as the 5.3-magnitude earthquake that jolted Camarines Norte and was felt in Metro Manila on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
"The government is doing all that it can to be prepared for this type of earthquake and other disasters," Climate Change Commission vice chairperson Robert Borje said in a chance interview with reporters following the quake.
"And I think the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) is working very hard together with OCD (Office of the Civil Defense) and the members of the NDRRMC to ensure that we are all prepared," Borje added.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake struck 19 kilometers northeast of Tinaga Island, Vinzons, Camarines Norte at 1:05 p.m.
It added that the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
Borje also bared that there was a discussion on making Metro Manila more prepared for earthquakes.
"In our latest meeting there was discussion on making the country more prepared and making Metro Manila also more prepared because there have been studies on the need for earthquake preparedness," he said.
The climate change body official said aside from earthquakes, typhoon preparedness is also appropriate to be included in the plan, adding that similar activities like quake drills could be implemented for typhoons.
"And may I say that perhaps it’s also appropriate to consider typhoon preparedness as part of the plan. Kung meron tayong (If we have) national earthquake day or earthquake drill, siguro maganda may (perhaps it is also good to have) similar activities for climate-change induced risks and hazards para preparado ang lahat sa anumang mangyayari (so that everyone is prepared for whatever that can happen)," he said.