EXPAND DISASTER PREPARATION TO INCLUDE EARTHQUAKES Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo (Liberal Party, 2nd District of Quezon City) today urged the Aquino administration to expand its disaster preparation to include earthquakes. In a statement, Castelo said since the country is situated in the so-called “ring of fire” in the Pacific Rim, it is vulnerable to devastating earthquakes that could kill thousands of people and destroy crops, infrastructures, and pieces of property worth billions of pesos. “The current disaster preparation is geared to address the frequent floods that occur in many parts of the country and the typhoons that visit our country. It pays to expand our disaster preparation and risk reduction management skills to include earthquakes,” said Castelo, who chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development. Castelo made the statement as he noted that if ever the 7.2 magnitude tremor struck Metro Manila instead of Bohol, it could destroy or collapse at least 120,000 homes, rendering 1.5 million people homeless. Nearly a fourth of public facilities like hospitals, schools, police stations, and public and private buildings could suffer massive damage. Damage to water reservoirs and purification plants would immediately cut water supply in the metropolis, Castelo said. Castelo said earthquakes have unpredictable nature unlike typhoons and floods, which could be predicted. In most instances, areas prone to floods could be identified and mapped out, Castelo said. “When powerful earthquakes happen, its consequences could be terribly devastating to people’s lives, crops, and property,” Castelo said. “We should never allow ourselves caught with our pants down.” Castelo urged President Benigno Aquino II to mobilize the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other allied state agencies to expand its disaster preparedness to include earthquakes as among the disasters the Aquino administration has to face. #
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 07:28:00 +0000
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