Legarda calls for stronger disaster plan

MANILA, Philippines - Following the 8.7 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Sumatra in Indonesia, Sen. Loren Legarda reiterated yesterday her call for greater earthquake preparedness.

“The Philippines should already be prepared for such strong temblors since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake could already result to massive devastation in the country,” she said.

Legarda noted that the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2004 showed that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila would cause the destruction of 40 percent of the residential buildings, damage 35 percent of all public buildings, kill 34,000 people and injure 114,000 individuals.

“We will not tire of demanding from concerned government agencies the establishment of necessary mechanisms to secure our communities from the devastating effects of disasters such as earthquakes,” she said.

The senator said preparations must include evaluation and retrofitting of buildings and infrastructure, conduct of earthquake drills, setup of early warning system and locating safe refuge.

“We will also continue to urge communities to take the initiative in making sure that they are well prepared so that they will not be caught off guard when natural hazards strike,” Legarda said.

Legarda, chairperson of the Senate committee on climate change, encouraged the reproduction of the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook. The handbook was produced by the committee with the help of various government agencies and was distributed for free last year.

The handbook includes information about earthquakes, among many other hazards and the steps to take before, during and after a temblor.