The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Director Teresito Bacolcol, has urged the public to remain calm but prepared following recent strong earthquakes across the country.
Bacolcol emphasized the importance of having a plan and knowing safe places. “The recent earthquakes are a reminder that there should be a plan and know safe places,” he told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday. He explained that earthquakes are normal in the Philippines due to 180 active faults and six active trenches, and the recent strong quakes were coincidental with different origins. “We want to remind the public to stay calm but be ready. The Phivolcs continues to monitor earthquakes and volcanic activities and we will immediately inform the public about any significant changes,” Bacolcol said.
Meanwhile, public anxiety has led to panic buying, as noted by Jenalyn Fallarco, a mother of a 6-year-old. She observed shortages of hard hats at a Metro Manila mall and sold-out whistles at a famous bookstore. “Hard hat is a requirement in my daughter’s school, but my husband and I decided to also buy for ourselves,” Fallarco told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday, Phivolcs recorded 12,079 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 1 to 5.8 from the September 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake offshore Cebu, and 1,303 aftershocks from magnitudes 1.2 to 5.8 following the October 10 magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 quakes offshore Davao Oriental.