Angara seeks assessment of Phl quake preparedness

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara filed a resolution seeking to assess the earthquake preparedness throughout the country, following the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Central Visayas.

In Senate Resolution No. 321, Angara stressed that there is an urgent need to investigate, in aid of legislation, the status of earthquake-prone areas and government agencies in terms of earthquake disaster preparedness.

He explained that it is necessary to assess whether Filipinos have already conformed to the requirements of the new building code and other pertinent regulations, including the retrofitting of houses, buildings and other structures.

He noted that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has also highlighted the need to strictly impose the regulations on buildings and structures in order to minimize the impact of earthquakes.

“As we pray for the steady recovery of all the victims of the earthquake that hit Visayas, we should also make sure that every step will be taken to reduce the risks and minimize the casualties and damages from earthquakes, and prevent this tragedy from ever happening again in our country,” Angara added.

He cited a study that found that half a million residential buildings in the Metro Manila area would be heavily or partly damaged if a 7.2-magnitude earthquake occurs in the West Valley Fault, commonly known as the Marikina fault line, which runs through Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Metro Manila including Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig and Muntinlupa. 

Appropriate plans and preparations can be made and proper legal and policy framework can be put in place for an effective earthquake disaster risk reduction and management system, the lawmaker said.

He also said that prior to the earthquake in Central Visayas, Congress had already passed Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which mandates government agencies to create programs aimed at reducing risks from earthquakes.

The Department of Science and Technology launched the Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program, which was cited by President Aquino in his State of the Nation Address last July.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, on the other hand, published the National Risk Reduction and Management Plan for 2011-2018. The plan said that the Philippines is highly prone to earthquakes and experiences an average of five earthquakes per day.

Sending donations through texting

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, wants Filipinos to be able to send donations for the victims of calamities through text messaging on their mobile phones.

Cayetano believes that a substantial amount of money would be generated for relief operations if something as convenient as sending a text message could be tapped as a way to send donations.

“I believe that such a mechanism will allow every Filipino with a cellphone in hand to directly contribute and be a bayani (hero) to those affected by disasters and calamities. Imagine how much we can raise for those who need help by simply sending a text message,” Cayetano said.

He noted that more than 100 million text messages are sent out by Filipino cellphone users daily and if P1 for every one of those text messages sent could go to calamity victims, it would already make a world of difference in their lives.

“In a country where mobile phones outnumber the population, every texter is a potential bayani. It would empower every Filipino whose heart goes out to the calamity victims to actually make a difference even with their P1,” he said.

“This new sense of empowerment will also stir up the bayanihan spirit in all of us. I know most of us want to help. All we need is an easier way to do so,” he added.

 The senator said he wants to know if legislation is needed to put this system in place or if concerned government agencies such as the National Telecommunications Commission and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas could just set this up using their existing powers under the law.

“There is also a need to ensure that this system of making micro-donations continues to be convenient, reliable and available at all times to all willing donors, whether based here or abroad, regardless of the size of operations and/or donations, without causing undue burden to the service providers,” Cayetano said in Senate Resolution 319 which he filed recently. – With Marvin Sy