Marcos urges Pinoys to take steps, be prepared for disasters

After strong earthquakes hit several areas and caused much damage in the past few weeks, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday said Filipinos should have a plan and be prepared should another disaster strike.

"Dahil ang Pilipinas ay nasa Pacific Ring of Fire na tinatawag kung kaya very prone tayo sa mga ganitong sakuna at kalamidad. Lindol man o pagsasabog ng bulkan, kailangan natin lalo pang paigtingin ang ating disaster preparedness and response," Marcos said in his vlog posted on Facebook.

(Because the Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire, we are very prone to having disasters and calamities. Whether it is an earthquake or volcanic eruption, we need to strengthen our disaster preparedness and response.)

Marcos then reminded Filipinos to take the following steps to ensure their safety amid disasters and calamities.

Plan

"Unang-una, magplano. Magkaroon ng plano at alam ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya kung ano 'yung plano na 'yun. Pati na 'yung mga kasambahay. Saan ang evacuation area? Saan tayo tatakbo? Saan ang meeting place kapag lumindol? Saan ba pupunta? Saan tayo magkikita-kita?" he said.

(First of all, plan. Have a plan and make sure that every member of the family knows what that plan is. Even household helpers. Where is the evacuation area? Where will we run to? Where is the meeting place if an earthquake strikes? Where do we go? Where should we all meet?)

Even those who are outside the house should know where to go in case disaster strikes, he added.

It should be a safe place, Marcos said, and even children should know what to do when an earthquake occurs.

Go bag

"Ang pangalawa, maghanda po kayo ng go bag. Ano nga ba 'yung go bag? Ano bang nasa loob ng go bag? Mga importanteng dokumento, papeles, at pag-aari na hindi talaga natin puwedeng maiwan," the President said.

(Secondly, prepare a go bag. What is a go bag? What is inside a go bag? Important documents, papers, and possessions that we cannot leave behind.)

Marcos said the go bag should also contain basic survival items such as food, canned goods, biscuits, water, first aid kit, medicines, emergency hygiene kit, flashflight, whistle, lighter, among others.

The go bag may also contain a rugged phone, radio, and emergency cash. 

"'Pag kailangan tatakbo, nakahanda na 'yan, hindi na kayo maghahanap at mangongolekta ng inyong mga gamit," he said.

(When you have to run, that is already prepared and you don't have to look around and collect your things.)

Marcos said some local government units have recently issued go bags to their constituents.

"Sundan niyo po 'yun. Nandoon po lahat ang pangangailangan natin sa emergency (Follow [their example]. Everything you need during an emergency is there.)

No to fake news

The President also said Filipinos should make sure they get the right information and do not fall for fake news during times of disaster.

"Importante na may tamang impormasyon kayo sa mga ganitong panahon. Alamin ninyo ang abiso ng LGU. Makinig sa ating mga awtoridad, barangay official, munisipyo, coast guard, pulis, first responders, at iba pa," he said.

(It is important that we have the right information during these times. Find out what the LGU says. Listen to what authorities, barangay officials, municipal government, coast guard, police, first responders, and others say.)

Marcos advised the public to have a ready list of emergency numbers which they can call if they need assistance, and to tune in to the latest news whether on radio, TV, or social media.

"Pag-ingatan ninyo 'yung fake news. Noong nangyari sa Davao at saka sa Cebu, mayroon mga dumating na fake news. Naniwala ang mga kawawang biktima at sila sa kakatakbo, sa kakatago, sa kakapunta sa ibang lugar, marami pa rin nasaktan," he said.

(Be careful about fake news. When earthquakes struck Davao and Cebu, there were some fake news going around. Some people believed them and in their haste to run, hide, and flee, many were injured.)

Marcos said the public should check information posted on the official websites of government agencies, local government, national government, police, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and state weather bureau PAGASA.

Gov't response

On the part of the government, preparations continue for disasters, the President said.

"Sa DSWD at kahit mga local government unit, ating mga food pack, mga go bag, ready na po 'yan. Naka-deploy na sa ating mga warehouse," he said.

(At the Department of Social Welfare and Development and even local government units, our food packs and go bags are ready. They are in our warehouses for immediate deployment.)

"Ang communication at information drive ng ahensya ng pamahalaan ay pinaigting na rin para may mas kaalaman ang ating mga kababayan," Marcos said.

(Government agencies also have become more aggressive in their communication and information drives to increase public awareness.)

He also said infrastructure should be built according to policies.

"Ang mga polisiya natin sa pagpapatayo ng mga gusali ay kailangan sundin at isagawa ng mga buong katapatan. Bahay man 'yan, tulay, building, o kahit anong imprastruktura, kailangan sumunod. May mga nakatakda tayong safety standard. Mula sa pagsusuri ng lupa hanggang integridad ng mga itatayong istruktura," Marcos said.

(Our policies with regard to constructing buildings should be followed. Whether it is a house, bridge, building, or any infrastructure, the policies have to be followed. We have safety standards, from surveying the soil to ensuring integrity in building infrastructure.)

"Ang kaligtasan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino ang nakasalalay dito. Higit sa pagbangon o pagresponde, mas mahalaga ang maging handa," he said.

(The safety of each Filipino family relies on this. More than recovery or response, being prepared is important.)

Marcos said the country is prone to disasters, but more than responding to disasters, Filipinos should also learn from each calamity. 

"Hindi lang tumutugon sa sakuna, natututo sa mga aral ng bawat sakuna. Mas marunong at mas maagap na ang bagong Pilipino. Mag-iingat po tayong lahat," he said.

(Not just responding to disasters, but learn from each calamity. The new Filipino is wiser and moves fast. Be careful, everyone.) —KG, GMA Integrated News