The earthquakes that rocked Batanes Saturday afternoon, which resulted in so many aftershocks the latest of these was early morning yesterday based on the report of the Philippines Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs), resulted in eight deaths and about 1,000 families affected.
Based on the report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, several buildings, including schools and houses were destroyed.
In its social media accounts, Phivolcs also reiterated its warning that there is no way to predict an earthquake on where and when it will hit. This is the primary reason the government, through the national agencies and the local government units, has been intensifying the drills to at least mitigate the impact of the disaster.
One must take note that the Davao Region has fault systems that could have large impact on the lives of the people if these create huge movements.
To ensure that awareness is raised, the government has instituted these drills that every quarter a drill is held, although there has not been any drill yet held at night or dawn when the residents are at their most vulnerable situation in terms of risk.
However, some people take these exercises for granted as their agencies, institutions or groups join these events for the sake of joining. The people must realize that these activities are held to save lives and protect properties, not just to complying with an order.
