Where is the safest place to go to avoid earthquakes?

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director Undersecretary Renato Solidum on Tuesday recommended the province of Palawan for people who want to be assured of not experiencing a strong earthquake. 

“Kung ayaw mo ng hazard pagdating sa lindol ay pumunta ka ng Palawan,” Solidum said since Palawan has no active fault in the mainland.

“Huwag ka lang tumira  sa coastline kasi ma-tsutsunami ka rin doon,” he added.

However, Solidum noted that there is no really safe place to be because other disaster hazards might be present in an area. In the case of Palawan, tsunami is still possible.

The PHIVOLCS director advised the public to follow the recommendation of the authorities on disaster preparedness.

“Maliban sa bawal magtayo sa active fault, huwag magtayo sa mga landslide prone areas. Pagdating sa shaking, ang pinaka-safe na lugar ay sa bahay mo na matibay at sumunod sa building code,” he said

“Kung ako ang sasagot, hindi ko kailangang umikot ng ibang lugar, kasi wala namang safe,” he added.

For Solidum, the awareness of all risks at one’s own place, assurance of good location and construction of the house, and knowledge of what to do during and after the disaster remain as the important things to follow to be safe from earthquakes hazards.

A magnitude-6.5 earthquake rocked parts of southern Philippines on October 31 following a magnitude-6.6 tremor on October 29.

The combined death toll from the two powerful earthquakes has climbed to 22. Over 30,000 people in Regions 11 and 12 remained displaced since the October 29 earthquake. —LDF, GMA News