Terrifying earthquake

An earthquake is a natural event that everyone dreads. No one can predict when and where a tremor will occur, including its magnitude. Unlike a typhoon that you know is coming. A volcano will also show signs when it is about to erupt.

Last Wednesday morning, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 shook the entire Luzon. The epicenter was placed on Abra. The temblor caused significant damage to infrastructure. Houses collapsed, some even destroyed. Buildings sustained significant damage. Landslides occurred sending mounds of earth and large rocks crashing into homes and vehicles. A viral video captured building blocks of the Vigan Cathedral and Bantay Bell Tower loosened by the quake.

In Baguio City, patients had to be evacuated from the Baguio General Hospital. Residents still remember the devastating earthquake that hit Baguio in 1990, causing the Hyatt Hotel to collapse like a deck of cards. In Metro Manila, people rushed out of buildings. The earthquake hit when the workday was just starting. Those who live in condos also rushed out.

The estimated damage in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila caused by the earthquake is ?33.8 million pesos but it may be higher when all the buildings, roads, and bridges are thoroughly checked. Four are confirmed dead and over a hundred injured. Thousands are affected. Less than a month into the Marcos administration, disaster struck. President Marcos Jr. immediately ordered agencies to send relief to the affected and visited Abra to be briefed on relief efforts.

Once again there is talk about whether Metro Manila is ready for a strong earthquake or what they call "The Big One". The entire Philippines belongs to the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire. We sit on top of a myriad of fault lines. Therefore, we have active volcanoes and fault lines.

The most recent strong quake felt in Metro Manila was the 1990 Luzon earthquake. That was something I will never forget. Nothing is more unsettling than the ground beneath you moving all about. An earthquake stronger than that would bring unimaginable destruction and chaos to the metro. Many say the NCR is not designed to withstand a strong tremor. I tend to agree. I’m not sure if buildings have earthquake mitigating designs built into them, like what the Japanese have.

The unpredictability of earthquakes poses a danger to everyone. The best thing everyone should know is what to do in case of a strong earthquake. Learn to duck, cover, and hold. It is also good to have a bag that contains essentials that will be needed during an emergency. Flip-top canned goods, water, a battery or hand crank-powered radio, a flashlight, and a pocketknife are just some of the things that should be in the bag. The police, firemen, and health services may not be able to help everyone in times of a catastrophic earthquake. It's always good to be prepared.