Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno convened a critical meeting to discuss and enhance the contingency plan in response to the recent series of earthquakes that have struck Ilocos Sur, raising concerns about a potential tsunami event. The meeting brought together various government agencies to focus on preparing for the worst-case scenario.
Recognizing the heightened tsunami threat, Undersecretary Nepomuceno emphasized the urgent need to intensify the dissemination of early warning systems. He stressed the importance of communicating tsunami risks in layman’s terms to ensure public comprehension. “We must create a system where, when there is a final warning, the message is clear: run to higher ground, not to evacuation centers. This is crucial for effective response,” he stated.
He elaborated, “We need to rethink our approach. When a tsunami warning is issued, the instinctive action should be to seek higher ground. Many existing evacuation centers may not be safe in this context, and we cannot afford any confusion. Our community must understand this critical directive.”
Director Agnes Palacio echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of effective information dissemination. “It is essential that people understand the risks, regardless of whether they felt the earthquake,” she said. “We must communicate this information in a way that is accessible and understandable to everyone, ensuring that there is no ambiguity about where to evacuate.”
