Kapihan Session

For this month’s Kapihan session, our company conducted Disaster Management and First Aid training, with the assistance of Philippine National Red Cross.

Edward Udtuhan, trainer from PNRC.

The participants.

With all the catastrophes going on around the world, the session was timely as it aims to create awareness and preparedness among the employees in case of unexpected disasters. The earthquake in Japan resulted to one big question: is Philippines ready for a huge earthquake?

FACTS:

Philippines is situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, along with Japan. It is an area where large numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes. The Philippines experience 20 monthly earthquakes, and only 5 of which are actually felt. Out of 45 volcanoes, 5 are active: Taal, Mayon, Hibok-Hibok, Bulusan and Kanlaon.

EARTHQUAKE TRIVIA:

Types of Faults:

Thrust Fault – upward movement, often causing tsunami.

Normal Fault - downward movement, causing land to open and crack.

Strike-Slip Fault – reversal movement.

Strength of Earthquake:

1)      Intensity – a scale used to estimate the effects of an earthquake at a particular site.    It is felt by the people, data of which is provided by PHIVOLCS.

2)      Magnitude – a scale used to express the seismic energy released by an earthquake. It is measured only by a seismograph.

According to a study, Metro Manila will not survive an intensity 8 earthquake. Further, it showed that the MARIKINA VALLEY FAULT poses the greatest danger because it cuts through all the modern and progressive portions of Manila such as Eastwood, Rockwell, Ortigas Center, Bonifacio Global City, Ayala Center, and Alabang. The PhiVolcs  has warned that this fault line can move anytime because it is already “11 years late” for its movement.

PNRC mentioned that Palawan is safe from seismic plates, however it is prone to tsunami. It added that the safest places are located in Makati, namely: Urdaneta, Bel Air,Forbes Park, Magallanes, San Antonio and San Lorenzo. These are homes to the rich and the elite. No wonder properties here are worth millions! Probably being earthquake-safe/proof is part of the cost.

Unfortunately, places with EMBO (Rembo, Cembo, Pembo, etc.) in Manila are traversed by the fault line, hence unsafe.

It was good to know that PNRC already developed plans in case of disasters. It already forged partnerships with leading malls to prioritize food supplies through PNRC in case of emergencies. Moreso, it already had agreements with these exclusive villages to act as evacuation centers.

The key to effective disaster prevention is planning. Hence, it would be best to know what to do before an earthquake. Here are some tips:

1)      Determine if site is along an active fault.

2)      Determine if site is prone to liquefaction.

3)      Determine if site is prone to landslide.

4)      Use proper structural design and engineering practices when constructing a house or   building.

5)      Identify potential hazards and begin to fix them.

6)      Know location of fire exits.

7)      Prepare earthquake survival kits.

Kit courtesy of PEMPCO.

A crash course on first aid followed.

First aid in case of head injury.

Conduct of CPR.

PNRC offers full training on First Aid for a fee. If interested, you may contact any branch of PNRC in your area. 

I'm glad for this opportunity given by the company to learn the basics on disaster management. My colleagues were very interested and responsive. They, like me, learned a lot from the training. 

A picture of interest.

A picture of willingness to learn.

Oh, we also had fun!