ILOILO CITY – Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) urged local governments to update their earthquake preparedness plans following the magnitude-six earthquake that rocked Masbate province on Thursday, Feb. 16.
“Overall, this is a reminder that every city, province, and region must be prepared and update the earthquake scenario,” Solidum said while in this city on Thursday for the DOST nationwide call conference.
The earthquake was felt in Panay Island, including Iloilo and Capiz provinces, prompting Solidum to reiterate the warning to LGUs on the impact if the West Panay Fault moves.
In 1948, a magnitude-8.2 earthquake dubbed “Lady Caycay” rocked Panay Island. It was one of the country’s strongest and caused widespread destruction in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo.
“With the new developments and the increase in population, local government units (LGUs) have to update the earthquake scenario to find out what are the risks if ‘The Big One’ occurs,” Solidum said.
Solidum cited the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (REDAS), a computer software developed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), an attached agency of the DOST that simulates earthquake hazards.
A number of LGUs in Panay Island, including the regional capital of Iloilo City, have received REDAS training.
“This gives a scenario on how to prepare if there’s say an Intensity 8 earthquake. It gives information on the number of houses or buildings that may be damaged or the number of deaths based on the population,” Solidum added.