Lapu-Lapu stages tsunami drill today

CEBU, Philippines – Around 500 families will participate in Lapu-Lapu City’s first tsunami drill today in Barangay Tingo in Olango Island.

"Aside from residents, all students in the island will get to participate in the activity," Andy Berame, deputy officer of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said in a recent press conference.

The activity will start around 9 a.m. up to 12 noon.

Berame hopes that it will help develop the capacity of the people to respond to disasters such as earthquakes, as well as the seismic sea waves.

He added that 100 teachers were also given brief introduction yesterday for today’s drill.

"Gi-incorporate namo sa pagtudlo ang preparation sa earthquake and tsunami in schools," he said.

Robinson Jorgo, officer of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said this is also their way to help residents, especially those living near the sea.

"Usa ni sa among mga role nga tabangan ug tudluan nato ang atong mga kaigsuonan ilabi na tong anaa sa coastline. Ato silang tudluan sa mga warnings panahon sa kalamidad," Jorgo said.

If the natural disaster occurs, the mini-Hoops Dome in Barangay Talima will serve as an evacuation center for the residents, according to Berame.

Berame said the City and the PhiVolcs are putting up signages indicating areas vulnerable to tsunami in Olango Island, as well as directions for possible evacuations.

Early "warning system" such as the sound of bells from different barangay chapels will be made to give signal that people should leave their houses and proceed directly to the evacuation center for safety.

According to reports, a tsunami once occurred in Camotes Island in the 1920s and Barangay Tingo, which is facing the island, reportedly got affected by the disaster.

Berame said the personnel from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office will be joining the drill, including the fire officers from the city’s Bureau of Fire and Protection.

The Department of Education, Office of Civil Defense and Department of Interior and Local Government are sponsoring today’s activity.