Solidum: Palawan needs more earthquake drills after rare tremor

MANILA, Philippines — After the recent rare tremor off Palawan, the former state seismologist chief said on Friday that it was time to conduct more earthquake drills in the province.

Renato Solidum, who is now the Department of Science and Technology chief, made this call after the magnitude 5.1 earthquake in Palawan last June 11.

“I’ve answered that question for quite some time — it is needed,” Solidum told reporters in Filpino during an ambush interview in Pasig when asked if it was time to conduct drills in Palawan.

Sitting on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates often collide, the Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Palawan was largely spared of this since there is no known active fault there.

But Solidum noted that earthquakes or tsunamis generated from nearby faults and trenches may still affect the province.

“While Palawan does not experience strong earthquakes, small earthquakes happen in areas surrounding it,” he also said.

“And when it comes to a tsunami, Palawan needs to prepare,” he said.

Also, Solidum said it was better for residents in the province to be ready in case they travel to earthquake-prone areas in Metro Manila.

“Won’t Palawan residents visit Metro Manila, won’t they visit Cebu? So what would happen if they are still unprepared during an earthquake there? So they need to practice,” he said.

Solidum also highlighted the importance of conducting earthquake drills in Metro Manila, which is anxiously anticipating “The Big One.”

The so-called Big One — or a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hitting Metro Manila — may lead to at least 52,000 deaths, and 500,000 injuries,  according to the study of risk assessment and consultancy firm PSA Philippines Consultancy Inc. published in 2019.

Solidum said the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila only moves every 400 to 600 years, and its last movement was in the 1600s.

“This earthquake may happen in our generation,” he said.