OCD WARNS 3 REGIONS TO PREPARE FOR A TSUNAMI

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has told three regions to make immediate tsunami evacuation plans following a series of earthquakes that struck off Ilocos Sur in the past few days.

The OCD particularly issued the warning to the local government units of the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

OCD chief Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said that an immediate meeting was done and that all regional directors were ordered to ensure the readiness of their localities for potential tsunamis.

“Regional Directors 1, 2 and 3, please work closely and urgently with your partner national government agencies and LGUs, especially the Department of the Interior and Local Government,” Nepomuceno said.

“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.

According to Nepomuceno, the tremors west of Ilocos Sur had diminished but it is still important to prepare for any eventuality.

Based on a data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), 49 earthquakes were recorded off Santa Catalina in Ilocos Sur from Dec. 17 to 20.

The strongest of the quakes was recorded around 9 a.m. on Dec. 19 with a 5.0 tremor.

Phivolcs said the sequence earthquake is linked to the active subduction along the Manila Trench, which is a long, narrow depression in the seafloor located west of the islands of Luzon and Mindoro.

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.

Meanwhile, 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 to mitigate risks.

Residents are urged to stay informed, follow updates from local authorities, and adhere to safety guidelines as the situation develops.

“I know it’s challenging, especially since we have not yet achieved our ideal level of preparedness and with the holidays approaching. But please do your best despite the limitations,” Nepomuceno said.