CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—Science Undersecretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. has urged government agencies in Central Luzon to increase their preparation for the coming of the big earthquake that would hit Metro Manila, parts of Southern Tagalog, and Bulacan.
“Preparation is better than reaction in dealing with calamities,” said Solidum, who is also the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or Phivolcs.
Solidum said Central Luzon will serve as the base for continuing government services and business operations the moment a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila.
During a media forum here, Solidum said the former American bases here, Clark and Subic, would be the center of government and private sector operation until the situation normalizes in case of an earthquake.
Solidum said Clark is safe from earthquake and other calamities. Clark Freeport would house government agencies to continue rescue operations and relief goods distributions, he added.
Subic Freeport will be utilized to continue business by the private sector, specially for exports and imports, as the Port of Manila will be also affected with the incoming and outgoing cargo containers “which is vital to normalize the economy,” he said.
Clark Development Corp. chairman Jose de Jesus, who attended the forum, said the former US air base will accommodate government agencies but not evacuees, as provided for under its own charter.
The “Green City,” which is located inside part of Tarlac, can perhaps accommodate evacuees should an earthquake occur, De Jesus said.
As for the road networks, Solidum stressed the Maharlika Highway and the Cagayan Valley roadworks can be used to reach the two Freeports in Angeles City and Olongapo City, respectively.
Another way is the use of water system networks from Rizal Park to Pampanga and Bataan, which is already existing nowadays, he said.
He said these two road networks are now being prepared because the five-kilometer long Candaba Viaduct along the North Luzon Expressway and the old MacArthur highway will surely be affected by the “Big One.”
“The viaduct is sitting in soft soil that will not withstand the magnitude of a 7.2 earthquake, as well as the bridges and roads of the old highway,” Solidum said.
Rene Romero, vice chairman emeritus of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the government must also establish a central food terminal and other necessities during the calamity.
Food suppliers from Northern Luzon, which have mostly perishable goods, cannot deliver their produce to Metro Manila due to congestion and traffic condition of the roads after an earthquake, Romero noted.
“There must be a central food terminal located in strategic areas where suppliers can unload their supplies for the people to buy,” he said.
Central Luzon up to Pangasinan has some soft portions made up of lahar and other volcanic debris coming from the Sierra Mountain and Zambales mountain ranges, Solidum said. This is due to the eruption of the volcanoes in these areas several thousand years ago, he added.