Robredo: LGUs must also prepare for quakes, not just floods

MANILA, Philippines—Earthquakes, not just typhoons and floods, must be factored in the disaster preparedness plans of local governments, Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said on Tuesday.

Robredo noted that the government has “apparently focused its disaster preparedness plan on weather disturbances based on the country’s experience” with strong typhoons and tropical storms such as Pedring and Sendong that wrought much havoc last year.

“While the response has been satisfactory, we should also factor earthquakes in our disaster preparedness plan,” he said in a statement.

“There should be more regular drills and more intensive assessment on landslide prone areas in case of earthquakes,” Robredo said.

The DILG secretary said the response of local officials to the earthquake that struck Central and Western Visayas was generally satisfactory but added they needed to work harder in “assessing and handling” landslide-prone areas.

The secretary issued the statement in response to questions on how local officials fared in reacting to the 6.9 magnitude quake that hit Regions 6 and 7 on Monday, reportedly killing more than 50 persons and leaving scores still missing, buried in landslides.

On Monday, Robredo directed the deployment of Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel in the affected areas in  Central and Western Visayas to launch search-and-rescue operations and maintain peace and order.

Robredo is set to conduct a regional disaster preparedness campaign in the first half of 2012 to “amplify and instill among local government units and other local stakeholders the importance of disaster awareness and readiness.”

In December 2010, he issued DILG memorandum circular 2010-143 defining the roles and strengthening local government capabilities, particularly the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, in mitigating and confronting natural or man-made disasters.

“Because of extreme global weather changes and other unforeseen eventualities like earthquakes, flash floods and landslides, we need to have the LGUs and people’s awareness, knowledge and understanding, acceptance and participation and mobilization in disaster prone-areas,” Robredo said.