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Climate change has made it more challenging for agencies and stakeholders to prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis as it leaves them with less time to respond to potential disasters, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Tuesday.
During the World Tsunami Awarness Day press conference in Quezon City, OCD-NCR director George Keyser said the return period of major natural events has become shorter and more intense over time due to climate change.
These natural events include storms and earthquakes.
"Malaki talaga ang epekto ng climate change (sa disaster preparedness)," Keyser said. "Paikli ng paikli yung return period."
(Climate change has greatly affected disaster preparedness. the return period of natural events has become shorter.)
This led agencies like OCD to conduct several meetings with stakeholders in order revise intial preparedness and response plans.
Aside from climate change, Keyser said the lax perception of the public about disasters is also a challenge when it come to preparedness.
"Yung number one challenge talaga ito, yung perception na baka hindi man mangyari yan. Yung mabala na, yung ayaw mag-prepare," the OCD official said.
(The number one challenge is the perception of the public about disasters that it may not happen. Those who do not want to prepare.)
He added that Metro Manila must also have a locally appropriated evacuation plan to address situations when road and communication disruption take place after an earthquake.
"Kaya tayo nag-di-drill para makita yung lapses na itong sector. So yan, inaaral yan," Keyser said.
(We conduct drills to see the lapses of each sector and study it.)
Meanwhile, geologist Charmaine Villamil of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) explained changes in the climate do not trigger the occurrence of an earthquake but can aggravate its effects.
"Changes in the climate will not trigger the occurrence of earthquake, but the effects of climate change can aggravate the effects of tsunami," Villamil said.
"Kapag dumating yung tsunami, mas mataas pa po yung aasahan na alon," she added.
(Once a tsunami occurs, expect higher waves.)
The United Nation has designated every November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day to promote preparedness for natural disasters.
This include urging the public to participate in drills, runs, or walks along tsunami evacuation routes to help build resilience.
For its part, the PHIVOLCS will hold the “Tsunami! Run for Safety: Shake, Drop, or Roar? Move Away from the Shore!” on October 24 in Pasay City. — LA, GMA News