UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) representatives—Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay (Executive Director), Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran (Director for Institution Building), and Mr. Jose Abraham C. Ongkiko (Chief Science Research Specialist) participated in the 2nd Earthquake Preparedness Summit 2025, themed “Heightened Preparedness and Readiness to Respond.” The two-day summit was organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on April 8-9, 2025, at Madison 101 Hotel, Quezon City. At least 200 earthquake experts, professionals, and volunteers graced the event with their presence, sharing their expertise, experience, initiative, and insights towards a more earthquake-prepared country. The activity highlighted various DRRM response strategies and technologies in preparation for “The Big One” if the movement of the West Valley Fault unleashes a potential magnitude 7.2 earthquake.
OCD Administrator and Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), Usec. Ariel F. Nepomuceno highlighted the three levels of preparedness for earthquake incidents namely engineering solutions, wherein no shortcuts should be allowed in terms of the implementation of infrastructure projects, including but not limited to buildings, houses, bridges, etc., that it should be by the standards and designed to withstand at least a magnitude 8.5 earthquake; public readiness, wherein our citizens should be capacitated on how to respond or react to earthquake incidents, they should be able to perform “Duck, Cover and Hold”, know the nearest evacuation area, and prepare a “Go Bag” in times of emergency; and government response, wherein the mechanisms are in place for assistance and management of resources to provide aid on the casualties.
Usec. Diana Rose Cajipe of DSWD, Dr. Jeffrey Perez of PHIVOLCS, Usec. Marlo L. Iringan of DILG, Usec. Ariel F. Nepomuceno and UPRI’s very own Executive Director Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay served as the principal in the press conference conducted during the summit. They provided their expertise, key updates, and answered various public queries.
Usec. Angelito de Leon of DND further emphasized that enhanced earthquake readiness is a product of sustained investment, commitments, and collaboration of the government, the private sector, and the local community. The two-day summit served to exchange knowledge, experience, and ways forward. The presented initiatives, plans, accomplishments, and best practices of our stakeholders are proof of our commitments, continuously revised and improved to cater to the needs of our citizens to disseminate information, increase readiness, save lives, and reduce casualties.