Manila: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chair and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has directed government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to intensify earthquake preparedness measures through regular drills, infrastructure audits, and retrofitting of critical facilities.

According to Philippines News Agency, in Memorandum No. 279 dated October 15, Teodoro ordered the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and all Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) to ‘immediately intensify earthquake risk reduction measures while ensuring public service continuity.’

The order comes in the wake of a spate of powerful earthquakes that struck across different parts of the country.

RDRRMCs, chaired by OCD Regional Directors, were tasked to coordinate these activities and ‘assess the performance of LGU Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) Offices, in coordination with the OCD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and provide performance evaluations to both agencies.’

Teodoro also ordered RDRRMCs to consult with the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) for technical support.

Earlier this month, during a National Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (NIACC) meeting, Teodoro directed the review of local contingency plans ‘to ensure all established disaster protocols of LGUs within their Area of Responsibility (AOR) are validated, and up-to-date.’

The OCD said it ‘continues to collaborate with various agencies and LGUs to enhance the country’s disaster preparedness amid the ongoing threats of hazards and disasters.’