NDRRMC calls for infra audit following quakes

CEBU, Philippines — Following a series of earthquakes across the country including in Cebu recently, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chairman and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has ordered a nationwide push for infrastructure audits, retrofitting of critical facilities, and intensified earthquake preparedness in coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs).

In a memorandum dated October 15, 2025, Teodoro directed the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) to lead the implementation of Memorandum No. 279, which lays out a multi-pronged strategy to strengthen public safety and ensure service continuity amid seismic threats.

The memo stresses the culture of safety by reinforcing family, community, and school preparedness, while preventing the spread of unverified information that may cause unnecessary public panic.

The directive urges LGUs to conduct comprehensive assessments of public buildings and facilities, prioritize retrofitting or temporary risk-reduction measures, and designate alternate service sites where necessary.

It also tasks agencies to enhance public awareness campaigns and establish safeguards against disinformation during emergencies.

Local disaster protocols must be validated and updated to reflect current hazards and operational realities, while RDRRMCs, chaired by OCD regional directors, are instructed to evaluate the performance of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The memorandum further calls for regular earthquake drills and the integration of seismic resilience into local development planning.

Technical support will be provided by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the OCD.

During a recent National Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell meeting, Teodoro underscored the importance of proactive coordination and contingency validation across all LGUs within their respective areas of responsibility.

As the executive arm of the NDRRMC, the OCD continues to work closely with national agencies and local governments to bolster disaster preparedness and response mechanisms amid the country’s persistent vulnerability to natural hazards. — (FREEMAN)