Phivolcs Enhances Earthquake Preparedness for Information Officers in Quezon City

QUEZON CITY — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recently hosted an “earthquake preparedness survival talk” for information officers, underlining their key role in disaster communication.

According to Philippines News Agency, a Phivolcs Science Research Specialist who led the session, the training emphasized the importance of assessing the structural integrity of buildings and houses to mitigate risks during earthquakes. “They should know the hazards in their areas. Because during an earthquake, it’s not just the ground shaking that they should watch out for. There’s also liquefaction, landslides, and tsunami,” Mercado explained during the event at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) headquarters.

The session also featured a mobile earthquake simulator installed at the PIA building, allowing employees to experience the sensations of various earthquake intensities firsthand. Mercado presented scenarios for potential earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 8.2, which could originate from the movement of the West Valley Fault and the combination of the Manila Trench and the Philippine Trench, respectively.

Mercado emphasized the importance of preparedness over fear, addressing misinformation spread by influencers regarding the potential for a magnitude 8.2 earthquake. “Don’t fret. Preparedness should be the focus,” he advised, referencing past miscommunications that have caused unnecessary panic.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol has also stressed the constant need for readiness, noting the Philippines’ position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes the nation susceptible to frequent and significant seismic activities. He reminded that the strongest recorded earthquake in the Philippines was a magnitude 8.1 event in Mindanao on August 17, 1976, which triggered a deadly tsunami, resulting in the loss of approximately 8,000 lives.