The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) issued urgent directives for tsunami preparedness in Regions I, II, and III following a series of earthquakes near Ilocos Sur attributed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to movement along the Manila Trench.
These earthquakes, which began on December 17, 2024, prompted authorities to prioritize immediate readiness for potential tsunami scenarios.
The OCD warning also follows a magnitude-6.1 earthquake that rattled buildings on Vanuatu’s main island early Sunday but did not appear to have caused major damage, five days after a more powerful quake wreaked havoc and killed 12 people.
The nation’s most populous island, Efate, is still reeling from the deadly 7.3-magnitude temblor on Tuesday, which toppled concrete buildings and set off landslides in and around the capital of Port Vila.
The latest quake occurred at a depth of 40 kilometres (25 miles) and was located some 30 kilometers west of the capital, which has been shaken by a string of aftershocks.
No tsunami alerts, however, were triggered when the temblor struck at 2:30 am Sunday (1530 GMT Saturday).
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But Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno, Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was taking no chances and called for swift action and urged regional directors to collaborate with national and local agencies to ensure preparedness.
“Regional Directors 1, 2, and 3, please work closely and urgently with your partner NGAs and LGUs, especially the DILG,” he stated.
“Check preparations for earthquakes, with a possible tsunami resulting from the movement of the Manila Trench. Delve into the details as discussed in the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell meeting today. I understand that your areas are not as prepared as we desire, but we must remedy this situation now,” he added.
The directives include drafting and enhancing tsunami evacuation plans, validating and mapping evacuation centers for coastal communities, testing tsunami alert systems and communication channels, and conducting drills with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Phivolcs has reported 49 earthquakes since December 17, with magnitudes ranging from 1.8 to 5.0. Tsunami forecasts suggest that waves could reach heights of up to 14.7 meters in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, with arrival times as short as three minutes in some areas.
Worst-case scenarios indicate inundation over six meters in parts of Pangasinan and La Union.
OCD Region I activated its contingency plan, which covers hundreds of barangays in Pangasinan, La Union, and Ilocos Sur.
The Department of Health (DOH) requested the establishment of dedicated evacuation centers for tsunami scenarios that are separate from those used for typhoons.
Authorities are focusing on public awareness campaigns, safe evacuation routes, and close coordination with local government units (LGUs) to mitigate risks.
Residents are urged to stay informed, follow updates from local authorities, and adhere to safety guidelines as the situation develops. With AFP.