Chamber to assess quake’s damage

CEBU, Philippines - Although most businesses in Cebu have their own calamity preparedness programs, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is still conducting a thorough assessment especially on member-companies to make sure implementations are effective.

"We are currently conducting assessment on the extent of the damage of the 7.2 intensity earthquake that hit Cebu," said CCCI president Lito Maderaso in an interview yesterday.

He said most companies have their own individual emergency preparedness plans. "As for the chamber, we also have a specific committee handling this matter…and we will be meeting soon for general assessment," Maderaso said.

As of press time yesterday, the chamber cancelled all its organizational meetings, while the administration conducted text blasting to all its members for damage report.

While most areas were out of power, most businesses like shopping malls, retail outlets and restaurants, also suspended operations.

The islands of Bohol and Cebu, as well as neighboring provinces, were rattled by a 7.2 earthquake around 8:10 AM yesterday.

Initial reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) revealed that the epicenter of the earthquake was located two kilometers southeast of Carmen, Bohol (09.80°N, 124.20°E).

The 7.2 earthquake that hit the Visayas region has a depth of 33 kilometers and was tectonic in origin, according to Phivolcs in its initial report.

The worst earthquake of the year was felt across the Visayas and Mindano area with people from as far as Zamboanga and Davao cities reported to have felt the major tremor.

Earlier, the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) president Benedict Hernandez said that the sector needs help from the government in its effort to improve each company's disaster preparedness program.

Although most BPM companies have already their own preparedness program, the sector needs the support from the government, especially in providing policies and strict regulations in structure security infrastructure building and other requirements.

Aside from earthquakes, the BPO sector mentioned other forms of calamities like typhoon, flood, among others, as main concerns that hamper the outsourcing operation in the Philippines.

Likewise, the local retail industry also expressed similar concern.

"The major challenge retailers are facing today is not more on economic movement, but on the unpredictable weather and calamity occurrences," said Philippine Retailers Association (PRA-Cebu) chairman Jay P. Aldeguer. /JMD (FREEMAN)