DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (File photo)
MANILA – The head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Tuesday a more robust information campaign is needed to increase public preparedness against strong earthquakes.
In a Palace briefing, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. affirmed that the country is more prepared now than 10 years ago but noted that "we need to make sure that the information campaign is continued."
"We have more youth now than before that they also need to know," he said.
Solidum's pronouncement came as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook Surigao del Sur and parts of Mindanao on Dec. 2. The quake's epicenter was traced 29 km. northeast of Hinatuan.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has so far logged 4,879 aftershocks with magnitudes 1.3 to 6.6. At least 54 of these were felt, while 1,202 were plotted or located.
Solidum, who used to lead the Phivolcs, said major earthquakes would trigger many aftershocks.
"But the important thing though is the consequence of the events. If you look at past events, these events in Mindanao have not really caused significant casualty. Important thing though is we need to make sure that people understand that all the rest of the country, except Palawan Island, is transected by active faults and also bordered by what we call trenches," he said.
There are three to four trenches in Mindanao, Solidum said during the briefing.
"Some of these trenches, like the Philippine Trench between Samar Island and Surigao provinces, have not really moved for a long time kaya nandoon iyong mga gaps na may mga earthquakes na nangyayari (there are gaps where earthquakes occur)," he said.
Solidum also cited the Cotabato Trench, which he said is very active in generating major earthquakes and had caused the magnitude 6.8 offshore Davao Occidental earthquake on Nov. 17.
Meanwhile, he urged the public to continue strengthening the houses that were built years ago.
"We need to strengthen building preparedness, and that is where the solution would lie on the potential number of casualty," Solidum said. (PNA)
In a Palace briefing, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. affirmed that the country is more prepared now than 10 years ago but noted that "we need to make sure that the information campaign is continued."
"We have more youth now than before that they also need to know," he said.
Solidum's pronouncement came as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook Surigao del Sur and parts of Mindanao on Dec. 2. The quake's epicenter was traced 29 km. northeast of Hinatuan.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has so far logged 4,879 aftershocks with magnitudes 1.3 to 6.6. At least 54 of these were felt, while 1,202 were plotted or located.
Solidum, who used to lead the Phivolcs, said major earthquakes would trigger many aftershocks.
"But the important thing though is the consequence of the events. If you look at past events, these events in Mindanao have not really caused significant casualty. Important thing though is we need to make sure that people understand that all the rest of the country, except Palawan Island, is transected by active faults and also bordered by what we call trenches," he said.
There are three to four trenches in Mindanao, Solidum said during the briefing.
"Some of these trenches, like the Philippine Trench between Samar Island and Surigao provinces, have not really moved for a long time kaya nandoon iyong mga gaps na may mga earthquakes na nangyayari (there are gaps where earthquakes occur)," he said.
Solidum also cited the Cotabato Trench, which he said is very active in generating major earthquakes and had caused the magnitude 6.8 offshore Davao Occidental earthquake on Nov. 17.
Meanwhile, he urged the public to continue strengthening the houses that were built years ago.
"We need to strengthen building preparedness, and that is where the solution would lie on the potential number of casualty," Solidum said. (PNA)
