Western visayas: Local government units in Western Visayas are gearing up for comprehensive earthquake evacuation drills in response to recent strong tremors in Davao and Cebu. Raul Fernandez, chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), emphasized the importance of these drills, noting a decline in participation in the quarterly national simultaneous earthquake drills.

According to Philippines News Agency, Fernandez highlighted the need to stress proper response protocols, as social media posts revealed that affected individuals often panic and run in different directions rather than employing the ‘duck, cover and hold’ method. This behavior, he noted, indicates a lack of awareness about appropriate actions during an earthquake.

The first wave of drills is scheduled for October 23 in Antique and the province and city of Iloilo, followed by Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras on October 24. Fernandez revealed that the drills would simulate a potential tsunami scenario resulting from movement along the Negros trench. On Thursday, RDRRMC and the Office of the Civil Defense held a meeting with local DRRMCs to finalize the drill details.

Fernandez also noted the significance of preparing for Western Visayas’ own potential “Big One” due to the presence of the West Panay Fault, a major fault system. The fault runs through several municipalities in Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo, and last moved in 1948, causing a magnitude 8.2 earthquake with widespread damage in Panay. Given recent activity in other fault systems across the country, Fernandez cautioned that movement along the Panay fault could occur at any time.

Part of the preparation efforts involves a large-scale information campaign to enhance public awareness. Fernandez stressed the importance of obtaining information from reliable sources, such as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and local DRRM councils. He urged households to prepare Go Bags with essential survival items, including food, water, medicines, clothing, documents, a radio monitor, a flashlight, and a whistle. For those who can afford it, having a Go Bag means less reliance on local government resources during emergencies.