Listen to the Red Cross

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

There is a lot of good sense in the move of the Philippine National Red Cross to require earthquake drills in the schools of Metro Manila after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or PHIVOLCS, had warned about the possibilities of a very strong earthquake that may hit the country anytime.

The warning cannot be taken lightly, considering the incidences of very strong and destructive temblors that have hit several countries in the past few months.

In the case of our country, the PHIVOLCS has identified the endangered area to be within Metro Manila, particularly in Marikina, Taguig, and Muntinglupa. These are also the areas where schools are located, hence the focus on having the drills conducted in schools.

But it should not only be in the schools where such drills should be held. There are also residential and office buildings in those places where people should also be aware and prepared on what to do in case what is referred to as “the Big One” takes place.

The PHIVOLCS has also determined that the danger zone in this expected earthquake is about 100 kilometers. That is a wide area and thousands of structures, not only schools, are located on it.

What is most fearsome are the figures estimated that indicate that about 20 percent of the structures in the area will collapse, 37,000 could be killed, and 140,000 injured.

Of course we hope and pray that these figures are exaggerated, but being prepared for any eventuality is our best protection. The suggestions, therefore, for holding the drills and learning survival measures are valuable preparations that could spell the difference between safety and survival, and perishing in such a frightful and terrible way.*