PHIVOLCS Urges โ’Duck, โฃCover, and Hold’ as Correct Response toโฃ Earthquakes Following Recent Seismic Activity
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and seismology (PHIVOLCS)โข issued critical safetyโข reminders this weekend following a series โofโค earthquakes felt across the country, specifically addressing observed public reactions that deviateโ from โฃrecommended protocols.PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol highlighted instances of individuals running during ground shaking in areas likeโ Cebu and Davao,a practice the agency strongly discourages.
These reminders come as the Philippines, situatedโ along the Pacific โฃRing ofโข Fire, remains highly โคsusceptible to seismic events.โ Incorrect โresponses during an earthquake can substantially increase โthe risk of injury or death, not from collapsing structures, โbut from secondary hazards like stampedes andโ falls. PHIVOLCS emphasizes that prioritizing immediate โฃpersonal safety through established procedures is paramount.
According to PHIVOLCS, the correct responseโ during strong shaking is to immediatelyโ “duck, cover, and hold.” This โmeans โขdropping toโค theโ ground, seeking coverโค under a sturdy object like a table, and holding on until โthe shaking stops.Running during an earthquake presents a heightened danger of โขtripping and falling, potentially causing a chain reaction of injuries. “Kasi kungโ tatakbo ka during the shaking, pwedeโ kang matumba, ‘yung kasunod sa ‘yo,โ puwede rin matumba. And then magpa-pile up โคdin ‘yung mga โbodies,” Bacolcol explained.
Theโค agency โคalso โcautioned against seeking refuge โon higher floors duringโข an earthquake, clarifyingโฃ that aโ building’s structural failure occurs during the shaking, not afterward. โInstead,โ once โthe shaking ceases, individualsโค should evacuate buildings via fire exits or designated escape routes. โข
For those outdoors, PHIVOLCS โขadvises the same “duck, cover, and hold” procedure, while maintaining a safe โขdistance from potentially falling โขobjects like trees and utility poles. โIf inside a vehicle, โremain seated and do not attempt to driveโฃ until the shaking hasโค fully stopped.
Coastalโ residents in tsunami-prone areas are urged toโ immediately evacuate to higher ground uponโฃ experiencing any warning signs,โค such as receding seawater orโ unusual ocean sounds. Director bacolcolโ specifically warned against delaying evacuation to document the eventโข on social media, stating, “Takbo ka na agad to โa higher place.Huwag nangโ mag-Facebookโค live. Ang ginawa pa parang mag-Facebook live pa yata. Which โขis, paano kung bumalik ‘yun โas a tsunamiโ wave and mataas ‘yung alon?”
Following an initial โฃshock, individuals should continue to employ the “duck, cover, and hold” technique during aftershocks, seeking shelter under robust structural elements like doorframes.