MANILA, Philippines – Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the importance of earthquake drills as part of disaster preparedness on Saturday.
“This is why we have repeatedly mentioned that we must prepare for strong earthquakes and possible tsunamis on beaches, so local governments and residents must continue to conduct earthquake drills, including tsunami drills,” Solidum said on a DZRH radio program with Senator Francis Tolentino.
(This is why we reiterate that people must prepare for strong earthquakes and possible tsunamis, which is why local governments must participate in earthquake and tsunami simulations.)
The secretary also said that shopping malls and other similar enclosed spaces are dangerous during earthquakes because they are large places and subject to damage.
“Shopping malls are large structures. Therefore, they have a tendency to tremble. But because it is sometimes very broad, the impact on them is greater. We noticed that some ceilings and roofs had collapsed,” she added.
(Shopping centers are wide structures, which is why they tend to shake, and the effects of earthquakes are broader in scale, which is why we’ve seen ceilings and roofs collapse.)
However, Tolentino said engineers should inspect private buildings and other public places to check for damage and ensure safety during disasters.
“Perhaps, Secretary, private buildings, shopping malls and even local engineers should inspect to see if there is any damage,” Tolentino said.
(Private buildings and shopping malls must be inspected by engineers to check for any damage.)
On Friday, Sarangani was rocked by a 6.8-magnitude tectonic earthquake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
According to Civil Defense, seven people died due to the earthquake as of Saturday.
RELATED STORIES:
Earthquake in Mindanao on Friday afternoon kills at least seven – TOC
Unable to save your signature. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
NIA assessing damage from Sarangani earthquake
