MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to shift from fear to preparedness as a wave of earthquakes continues to jolt parts of the country, reminding families that disaster resilience “starts at home.”
In his latest vlog, the President emphasized that survival during disasters depends largely on planning ahead, knowing where to go, and what to bring when emergencies strike.
“Unang-una, magplano. Magkaroon ng plano at alam ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya kung ano ‘yung plano na ‘yun … Saan ang evacuation area? Saan tayo tatakbo? Saan ang meeting place kapag lumindol,” Marcos said.
He urged every household to map out their evacuation routes and establish a clear family meeting point in case they get separated during a quake.
Marcos also stressed the importance of assembling a “go bag” containing essentials such as food, water, medicine, and vital documents for quick access during emergencies.
“Maghanda po kayo ng go bag … Mga importanteng dokumento … pagkain, tubig, first aid kit, mga gamot, hygiene kit, flashlight, pito,” he said, suggesting families also include a lighter and some emergency cash.
To stay informed, the President advised keeping durable phones or battery-powered radios handy in case power and communication lines are disrupted.
Marcos also cautioned against spreading or believing fake alerts, saying misinformation during past tremors caused unnecessary panic and even injuries.
“Pag-ingatan ninyo ‘yung fake news … Naniwala ang mga kawawang biktima at sila sa kakatakbo, marami pa rin nasaktan,” he warned.
He urged citizens to rely only on verified updates from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), and local authorities.
Closing his message, Marcos underscored that readiness, not reaction, saves lives: “Higit sa pagbangon o pagresponde, mas mahalaga ang maging handa.”/PN
