ILOILO City – Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary Renato Solidum has urged Ilonggos to move beyond awareness and take concrete steps in earthquake and tsunami preparedness, warning that complacency could prove disastrous for Western Visayas — a region straddling two major earthquake generators: the Negros Trench and the West Panay Fault.
Speaking to the media during his visit for the 6th Western Visayas Health Research Conference on October 28, Solidum stressed that earthquake and tsunami drills should not merely be viewed as routine activities, but as vital exercises grounded in science.
“If you do not have those scenarios, you will be caught unaware, and you are not ready. The best option for us to do is to prepare because these are science-informed scenarios,” he said.
Solidum said preparedness must extend beyond drills to include building inspections, evacuation mapping, and the education of community leaders.
“It is essential to determine if everyone knows the proper responses during an emergency,” he said, adding that “disaster management offices should prioritize training local leaders and residents to estimate earthquake intensity.”
He called on local government units to identify and assess structures that may collapse in the event of a major tremor, and to immediately inform residents if their homes or buildings are unsafe.
“What needs to be done here is to focus on mitigation and preparedness. Inspect all buildings, determine which will collapse or not, and inform the people if they are in danger,” he advised.
Historical and secondary threats
Solidum cited the 1948 earthquake that struck Panay Island with a magnitude of 8.2 and a tsunami previously triggered by the Negros Trench that produced waves up to two meters high affecting southern Negros and Iloilo City.
He also warned about the dangers of liquefaction — a condition where the ground loses strength during strong shaking — especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
“A big part of Iloilo and other parts of Panay are flood plains, so they are prone to liquefaction,” he said.
The DOST chief added that coastal towns must prepare evacuation routes for possible tsunamis.
“A tsunami has a force. You can tumble down. That’s why even a one to two-meter tsunami requires people to evacuate further upland,” he cautioned.
Solidum underscored that disaster resilience begins with public education, stressing that drills, hazard mapping, and safety lectures must become regular parts of community life.
His message, he said, was not to create panic but to build readiness.
“Preparedness,” he emphasized, “is not about fear — it’s about survival.”/PN
