MANILA, Philippines — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it would be conducting a “crucial meeting” on Friday to strengthen tsunami preparedness in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.
Regional Directors from these areas will be attending their Contingency Plans and worst-case scenario strategies in response to the recent earthquakes in Ilocos Sur, which have heightened concerns about a potential tsunami.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, the OCD administrator and executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), who led the meeting, emphasized the urgent need for effective contingency measures following a series of offshore earthquakes ranging from magnitudes of 1.8 to 5.0 at various depths along the Manila Trench.
He said that the seismic events pose a significant tsunami risk that could impact coastal communities within a rapid timeframe of 10 to 20 minutes.
Recognizing the heightened tsunami threat, Nepomuceno emphasized the urgent need to intensify the dissemination of early warning systems.
He stressed the importance of communicating tsunami risks in layman’s terms to ensure public comprehension.
“We must create a system where, when there is a final warning, the message is clear: run to higher ground, not to evacuation centers. This is crucial for effective response,” he stated.
He elaborated, “We need to rethink our approach. When a tsunami warning is issued, the instinctive action should be to seek higher ground. Many existing evacuation centers may not be safe in this context, and we cannot afford any confusion. Our community must understand this critical directive.”
Among the key components being pointed out are: 1. Forecasting Epicenters: Utilize data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) potential epicenters associated with offshore earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 and above along the Manila Trench. This will help estimate the shortest time frame for tsunami waves to reach land, which is approximately 10 to 20 minutes; 2. Assessing Destructive Capacity: Evaluate the strength of tsunami waves to determine the feasibility of protecting equipment and materials during evacuation. Understanding the destructive capacity will aid in assessing whether it is worthwhile to attempt saving any equipment while quickly moving to safe locations; 3. Geotagging Safe Spots: Implement immediate geotagging and marking of elevated areas as designated evacuation sites. These safe spots will be essential for swift and effective evacuations; 4. Simulation Drills: Develop a schedule for simulation drills, emphasizing the identification of pilot towns for initial testing of the contingency plans. Once the plans are approved, select a town within your area of responsibility to serve as the first pilot area for these drills. Additionally, create a schedule for conducting simulation drills in all other at-risk areas, villages, and towns. These tsunami drills may need to be organized independently of the regular Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) schedules due to their urgency.
“We must ensure that our communities are not just prepared to react but equipped to act swiftly. The window for action can be as short as 20 minutes,” Nepomuceno said.
Likewise, Nepomuceno issued urgent directives during the NDRRMC Emergency Preparedness Meeting this Thursday, addressing the ongoing threats posed by the Shear Line, the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, and a recent sequence of earthquakes offshore of Ilocos Sur.
He emphasized the necessity for all Office of Civil Defense Regional Offices (OCDROs) to enhance their contingency plans. This includes increasing individual and community awareness, improving communication strategies, and refining evacuation and response plans. Local Government Units (LGUs) are also urged to actively participate in reviewing these plans to ensure comprehensive preparedness.
“To safeguard our communities, we must prioritize the construction of buildings that can withstand natural hazards and ensure that our early warning systems are robust and effective,” he said.
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