MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has stressed the need for “disaster-proof” planning of communities, following the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra and nearby provinces in northern Luzon on July 27.
Marcos lamented how the powerful quake caused damaged to several houses, buildings, and cultural and heritage sites, including in his home province, Ilocos Norte.
Marcos vowed in his most recent video, posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, that his administration will assure the prompt restoration of damaged structures.
“Ito’y nasira at kailangan talagang ma-restore kaagad. Kaya naman lahat ng ating mga ma-itatayo na mga bago ay disaster-proof na ang ating pagplano sa mga ito mula sa mga kalye, building, pati na rin heritage site, eskwelahan, ospital, mga bahay ng ating mga mamamayan (These were destroyed and need to be restored immediately. That’s why we must have a disaster-proof planning in all the structures that we will build, including roads, buildings, heritage sites, schools, hospitals, and residential houses),” he said.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the number of families affected by the severe earthquake that struck many parts of northern Luzon has risen to 62,024.
Of this figure, 228,238 persons living in 639 villages in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera.
Based on the NDRRMC report, at least 1,910 families or 6,490 individuals are in evacuation centers, while the rest are being assisted by families and friends.
Around 12,645 houses in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and Metro Manila were classified as “partially damaged,” while 157 others were “totally damaged.”
Marcos commended the national and local government units for their earthquake response efforts.
He also expressed gratitude to the private individuals who helped the government in aiding the victims.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo. Lahat po iyan ay nagamit na ng mga naging biktima nitong napakalakas na lindol (Thank you to all of you. All your donations have been utilized for the victims of this powerful earthquake),” Marcos said.
Marcos emphasized the need to step up disaster response and preparedness as the Philippines is located along the typhoon belt, hit by about 20 storms yearly, and the so-called “Ring of Fire”, where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes often occur.
“Tayo rin ang may pinakamataas ang risk sa mga epekto ng climate change. Takaw sakuna ang ating lokasyon kaya’t hindi tayo dapat magkulang sa paghahanda (We are also at high risk for the effects of climate change. We are prone to disasters that’s why we should not be lacking in preparedness),” he said.
Marcos restated that the prompt implementation of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, this time for senior high school students instead of the collegiate level, would help train and mobilize the youth during emergencies, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations.
“Mag-ingat po tayong lahat at laging tandaan na sa anumang atin pang harapin, ang diwa ng ating pagka-Pilipino ay mananatiling maningning (Let’s be careful and always remember that whatever challenges we face in the future, the essence of being Filipino will always shine),” he said.
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