Luigi seeks update of geo-hazard maps

CEBU, Philippines - In view of the 6.9 earthquake that hit Negros and Cebu in the Visayas area last February 6, sixth district Rep. Gabriel “Luis” Quisumbing seeks for an update of geo-hazard maps and for a stronger coordination among government agencies such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), the Office of the Civil Defense (OCF), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and PAG-ASA.

“In Cebu, right after the earthquake and the tsunami alert level 2 was raised, a lot of false information circulated, which caused panic in the streets and exposed the population to further risks and injuries,” Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing suggested an update of geo-hazard maps after Phivolcs deputy director Bartolome Bautista said that the proximate cause of the recent earthquake in the Negros area and Cebu islands is a “hidden fault.”

He said hazard maps are important tools in providing information and warnings to local government units and to people in critical and disaster prone areas.

Quisumbing said the House Committee on National Defense, headed by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon and co-chaired by him conducted a hearing last Wednesday on Disaster Risk Management to discuss the state of government’s response to recent calamities.

The legislator said the hearing was timely after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake jolted  both the island of Negros and Cebu province last Monday noon. - THE FREEMAN