Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The 6.7 earthquake that hit the province of Surigao del Norte should be a wake up call to all Filipinos to take earthquakes and disaster preparedness more seriously.
Mina Marasigan, spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the recent quake should be a reminder to all Filipinos that such a disaster can happen anytime, anywhere.
Related: At least 7 dead, 120 injured in magnitude 6.7 Surigao quake
Though some locations are more vulnerable to the so-called Big One, or an earthqauke with a magnitude of no less than 7.2, the NDRRMC says everyone should make it their business to know what to do in case the disaster hits.
“This is a time wherein we have to understand and realize we make it a part of our lives to be prepared for such eventualities. Hindi dapat (we shouldn’t) i-discount, it could happen anywhere in the Philippines. This is a time we sit down (with) our families, discuss our preparations with our families,” Marasigan said.
Marasigan added this will require effort and a change in mindset, but she believes this can be done, as Filipinos have shown when typhoons strike the country.
“What we want is yung alam na nila automatic ito yung gagawin nila. Talagang by nature ito [What we want is that they automatically know what they should do. This is the reason], ito yung reason why we conduct regular exercises, is because we would like to develop muscle memory. Yung automatic talagang pag nakaranas ng pagyanig, duck, cover, and hold ang gagawin ko [The automatic reaction to a quake would be to duck, cover, and hold],” Marasigan explained.
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The national disaster council remains on red alert status amid rehabilitation efforts in Surigao province.
As of Sunday morning, the council has confirmed four casualties due to Friday’s eathquake.
The Department of Interior and Local Government is verifying two other reported casualties.
At least 200 persons were injured, 17 of which are still admitted in hospitals.
Twelve school facilities suffered damage due to the quake. Classes are suspended tomorrow and possibly until the school facilities are rehabilitated, depending also on the extent of damage.
More than a thousand houses were also destroyed, though authorities have yet to determine how many families will actually need housing assistance.
“This is now a question of our structural integrity ng ating mga facilities. Baka matagal na ba ito naitayo? Ano pinagbasehan ng pinagtayo nitong mga infrastructures na ito? At matagal narin kampanya ng Phivolcs, baka may panahon tayo ngayon, i-check po natin how safe is my house?” Marasigan said.
[Translation: This is now a question of the structural integrity of the facilities. How long has it been standing? How were these infrastucture built? Phivolcs has been campaingning for people to check on the safety of their houses.]
Several roads and Bridges were damaged as well. But there are no isolated areas, as authorities have identified alternative routes.
The runways in Surigao airport were damaged also so flights to the province will be diverted to Butuan city.
