A SOCIAL WORKER from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office 2 (DSWD-FO 2) conducts psychosocial intervention for children affected by the earthquake in Itbayat, Batanes on July 30. Two schools on the island were among the damaged structures. — @DSWDFO2

DEFENSE SECRETARY Delfin N. Lorenzana said the government’s disaster response to the July 27 twin earthquakes in Itbayat, Batanes could have been faster if not for the island’s location and the limited transportation access. Although local officials and disaster management teams immediately assisted affected residents, Mr. Lorenzana said resources from the regional and national levels could not be immediately delivered. “Mabagal ‘yung reaction namin (Our reaction was slow) because it’s too far away. The nearest base that we can get choppers is in Tuguegarao, Cagayan… so ‘yun ang (that was the) challenge: how to get there immediately,” said Mr. Lorenzana in a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday. Center for Disaster Preparedness Executive Director Lorein dela Cruz, for her part, said while government has not been “letting up in raising awareness for the ‘Big One,’” which could affect the capital Metro Manila, minimizing casualties in the event of a major earthquake depends in large part on people. “I think we cannot 100% guarantee that we are prepared… The best thing really is the people, wherever they are, they should know what to do when something happens,” she said. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Ricardo B. Jalad, meanwhile, assured that there is a contingency plan for high-magnitude earthquakes. “At the national level meron tayong (we have a) contingency plan to respond and bawat ahensya may kanya kanyang (and each agency has a designated) task,” said Mr. Jalad. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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