PHIVOLCS: PH more prepared now in case Morocco-like earthquake hits

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Monday that the country is more ready now in case a strong earthquake would occur, like that in Morocco which killed thousands of people.

“I think we’re much more prepared now than before, say 20 or 30 years ago,” PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol said in a public briefing interview.

He attributed the reason for such preparedness to the nationwide earthquake drills initiated by the government.

“Aware ang mga tao ngayon. Isa sa mga dahilan dito is every quarter na earthquake drill na ginagawa ng NDRRMC,” Bacolcol added.

(People are aware now. One of the reasons for this is the quarterly earthquake drill that the NDRRMC does.)

At least 2,100 people were killed due to the 6.8 magnitude quake that hit Morocco late on Friday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said no Filipinos were reported hurt or killed following the powerful earthquake. No Filipino has also so far expressed intention to get repatriated from the North African country. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News