Gideon C. Corgue
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Engr. Allan Rommel Labayog, station chief of Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS9) admonishes the public to be ready at all times in case disaster strikes.
Labayog was one of the resource speakers in the 2-day Trainors’ Training on Advocacy for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation at the Seafood House, San Roque, Zamboanga City on September 4-5, 2014 hosted by PIA.
The PHIVOLCS chief, who lectured on earthquake and preparedness said PHIVOLCS has recorded deadliest and most powerful earthquakes in the country, of which 60 percent come from Mindanao.
He enumerated the very destructive earthquakes that hit Mindanao particularly in Zamboanga Peninsula during the 16th and 18th centuries which caused countless damage to lives and properties.
Labayog said an average of 20 earthquakes occur everyday.
With this scenario, he said the public should undertake preventive measures to avoid economic and human losses should disaster occur.
“I encourage the people to be always ready and take proactive measures,” he quoted, and advised the public to know the hazard zone, safe zone, strictly follow structural and building code, implement safe construction practices, prepare emergency plan, conduct information and education campaign on disaster preparedness and drills in communities.
By doing so, we can safeguard the well-being of citizens and prevent
loss of lives and properties. “Remember that the BIG one is just ahead so let’s make everyday a disaster day,” Labayog cautioned.
In closing, he quoted a popular phrase of Christian writer and theologian Jimm Wallis, “sometimes it takes a natural disaster to reveal a social disaster.”
The training was participated by DSWD, DepEd, non-government organizations and barangay officials to capacitate them to be active advocates on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
