There’s a remark by Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. during the recent Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) last November 9 that should get the attention of everybody concerned.
During the drill, in which all national and local government agencies participated, Solidum pointed out that death and destruction caused by earthquakes are “preventable.”
Let’s be clear here: earthquakes are STILL impossible to predict with accuracy. But Solidum’s statement meant that we could prevent extensive damage to infrastructure, and the resultant injuries and deaths, that earthquakes can unleash.
It’s heartening to point out that local government units and agencies here in Laguna province have participated in the earthquake drill, ensuring that government employees – who are the frontliners in emergency response – should know what to do in case a tremor occurs. (Of course, we must point out that the private sector and individual households should also participate in the NSED, but that’s another issue.)
What the DOST Secretary is clearly pushing for is a “pro-active” approach to minimizing earthquake damage.
And here in Laguna province, where five cities with extensive industrial, residential and commercial areas sit under an active fault, LGUs should focus more on ensuring the structural stability of both government and private infrastructure.
It should be noted that as our country emerged from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s been a “building boom” in our province as government agencies, LGUs and private businesses have started massive construction projects that had been put on hold for almost three years.
But here’s a question for our LGUs: in the rush to “build, build, build,” have we ensured that our vital infrastructure withstand the effects of the so-called “Big One”?
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