DILG Urges LGUs to Update Disaster Preparedness Plans After Recent Earthquakes

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed local government units (LGUs) to update their disaster preparedness plans following the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu on September 30 and the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on October 10. The DILG emphasized the importance of activating Emergency Operations Centers and Incident Management Teams, ensuring the readiness of evacuation centers, and conducting structural assessments of public and private buildings in quake-affected areas.

Key Takeaways:

• The DILG has urged LGUs to update their disaster preparedness plans, activate Emergency Operations Centers, and ensure the readiness of evacuation centers after recent earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental.
• The department has directed LGUs to prioritize structural assessments of public and private buildings, especially in quake-affected areas.
• The Philippine National Police (PNP) is reviewing its disaster response protocols and enhancing its search, rescue, and relief operations equipment.
• The PNP has a total of 74,360 search-and-rescue toolboxes, 12,812 life vests, and 1,469 first aid kits.

Statistics:

• The DILG has directed LGUs to activate Emergency Operations Centers.
• The PNP has a total of 74,360 search-and-rescue toolboxes.
• The PNP has 12,812 life vests.
• The PNP has 1,469 first aid kits.
• The PNP has 12,812 life vests.
• The PNP has 1,016 spineboards.
• The PNP has 3,500 kerosene lanterns and 884 LED flashlights.
• The PNP has 8 rotary-wing helicopters and 1 fixed-wing airplane.

Sources:

• DILG statement
• PNP statement
• Read: Mayors urged to bolster disaster preparedness after Cebu, Davao quakes
• Read: PNP pushes for rescue training, go bags for cops amid earthquake woes