Press Release
October 31, 2019

Bong Go: PRRD orders quick response to 6.5-magnitude Mindanao earthquake

In radio interviews, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte is safe after another strong earthquake hit the southern parts of Mindanao on Thursday morning, October 31. Go also said that the President has ordered concerned government agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in affected areas.

Duterte was in his home in Davao City when a 6.5-magnitude earthquake, with Tulunan, North Cotabato as the epicenter, occurred at 9:11 AM, two days after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake and two weeks after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the same area. Hundreds of aftershocks were also recorded in between the main shocks.

"Kahit noong mga nakaraang lindol, nag-utos ang Pangulo sa lahat ng government agencies na ikutin ang lahat ng structures, ang government at school buildings, siguraduhing safe. Ang mga anak ay dapat ilagay sa safe na lugar," Go said.

"Handa naman po ang gobyerno natin at ang ating DPWH, iniinspeksyon kaagad lahat ng mga gusali na talagang tinamaan," Go explained. He added that local government units are also ready to provide assistance to affected communities.

As to reports that the continuous earthquakes have damaged many structures, Go said that government agencies should be strict in implementing the relevant laws, particularly the National Building Code which the Senator plans to revisit and propose necessary amendments to ensure safety amid recurring natural disasters, such as earthquakes.

"It is high time na amyendahan ang National Building Code. Matagal na ito, saka andaming nakakalusot. Huwag nang hintayin na may gumuhong gusali. Dapat maging istrikto," he said.

The National Building Code was promulgated in 1977 when then president Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 1096. Senator Go recognizes that there may be a need to amend the law and make it updated with the demands of the 21st century and with the increase in strength and frequency of natural calamities, such as earthquakes and typhoons.

"Huwag hintayin na may mademandang mga building officials na pumipirma dito. Ipatupad sana nang maayos ang batas. At stake po ang buhay ng mga kababayan natin," he added.

Given the frequency of calamities and natural disasters that often occur in the country, Go also said that he is pushing for the establishment of a separate executive department focused on disaster resilience to serve as the lead agency for disaster response of the government.

"Kaya isinusulong ko na magkaroon tayo ng Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) para iisang ahensiya na lang ang tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga biktima. Mas magiging mabilis at epektibo po ang pagresponde natin kapag streamlined ang proseso at holistic ang approach ng gobyerno," Go said.

Go filed Senate Bill 205, known as "Disaster Resilience Act of 2019", which seeks to establish "an empowered, highly-specialized, and responsive Department of Disaster Resilience with clear unity of command."

The department aims to provide faster government response to natural disasters and calamities, such as typhoons and earthquakes, by putting together all related agencies under a single department. The proposed measure also mandates local government units to build permanent and dedicated evacuation centers that are comfortable and complete with all necessary supplies needed by evacuees.

The Senator also advised the public to avoid sowing fear by spreading fake news about the earthquakes. "Makinig kayo sa mga legitimate news. Huwag maniwala agad sa fake news sa Facebook. Just be vigilant."

"Huwag magpakalat ng peke dahil dagdag lang ito sa ating problema. Hindi tayo makaka-focus sa dapat nating gawin. Tulungan tayo. Huwag dagdagan ang takot at kalbaryo ng ating mga kababayan."

Go added that the earthquake has not affected the duties of the President.

"Sa ngayon, wala pang pagbabago. So far, naka-schedule pa rin ang Pangulo para sa pag-alis niya sa ASEAN Summit. Maraming dapat pag-usapan."

Heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to meet in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 1 to 4.

Go also shared that, in case of emergencies, such as earthquakes, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) is ready to ensure the safety of the President.

"Opo, mayroon po talagang protocol. Nakahanda po ang Presidential Security Group kung saka-sakaling dapat i-evacuate ang Pangulo ay handa sila, andiyan naman po 'yan sila sa baba at katulad ng mga baha may mga evacuation, evac plan ang tawag diyan para i-evacuate po ang Pangulo. Pero so far naman po ay pinatingnan kaagad natin 'yung kanyang munting bahay ay wala naman pong ganong pinsala," Go explained.

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