Our readiness when tremor strikes?
The
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council rated as “unprepared”
the readiness of the population in Mindanao when a strong tremor would hit the
island. Mindanao was shaken when a Magnitude 6.3 hit North Cotabato last
October 16 in the evening (7:37 p.m.) which the Philippines Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology measured as “moderately strong.” The island span
trembled, including Cotabato City at Intensity 4, while the rest the weakest
far away from the epicenter. That Mindanaons are not used to experience strong
earthquakes could explain the “unpreparedness” when the real disastrous culprit
comes.
Aftershooks
were expected and recorded at some 700 as of October 22 and may continue for a
month at a time when the Phivolcs discovered a fault along the stretch of North
Cotabato. Consoling was the least human casualty registered at seven but there
were several damages on infrastructures, including some hospitals, public
buildings and schools, and not well-built residences.
