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| PIA-NCR file photo |
By Jerome Carlo Paunan
MANILA (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to strengthen their disaster preparedness, advising every family to create a contingency plan, designate evacuation areas, and prepare a go-bag or emergency kit.
Citing a recent series of earthquakes that had struck various parts of the country, he recommended go-bags should contain food, water, a first-aid kit, medicines, a flashlight, a whistle, and emergency cash.
In his weekly vlog, Marcos emphasized that preparation is more critical than response, especially in a country situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
“Higit sa pagbangon o pagresponde, mas mahalaga ang maging handa” (Being prepared is more important than recovering or responding), the President said.
A series of powerful quakes had stricken Cebu, Baguio, Surigao, Davao, and Zambales. “The damage was immense because earthquakes destroy buildings and homes,” Marcos said.
He also encouraged the public to seek information from official sources and avoid “fake news,” which he said caused panic and injuries during recent quakes in Davao and Cebu.
“Listen only to news from the official websites of government agencies, local or national,” he said, advising the public to follow updates from authorities such as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The President’s push coincides with efforts by several local governments in Metro Manila to distribute emergency go-bags to residents.
Taguig City began distributing kits on Oct. 13, aiming to reach more than 200,000 households.
Quezon City, which distributed go-bags in July, said it would prioritize low-income households near the West Valley Fault.
Muntinlupa City officials said their go-bags are in the procurement process.
Pasig and Makati cities, meanwhile, distributed similar emergency kits in February 2024 and June 2025, respectively.
Marcos said he has ordered all relevant government agencies to intensify their disaster preparedness and response efforts.
He also stressed the importance of strictly complying with building safety standards for all infrastructure. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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