Residents trained to respond to tsunami

By April Montes

Wednesday 1st of August 2012

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Aug 1 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) conducted a two-day seminar to help residents understand the idea of tsunami-preparedness and response.

Angelito Lanuza, Phivolcs trainer and facilitator, said the seminar will educate communities, especially those situated in coastal areas, on basic tsunami information.

He added it will develop the sense of awareness among communities to enable residents for disaster preparedness and tsunami risk mitigation.

“At least 20 earthquakes usually occur every year but not all are felt since they vary in strength. The Philippines is also exposed to far-field and locally generated tsunamis but people in the community are unaware of it,” Lanuza said.

The seminar was held at the Consuelo Hotel, this town on July 26 and 27.

Topics discussed include Earthquake and its Hazards, Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale, Tsunami Generation, Hazards and Mitigation, Tsunami Alert Levels, Community-Based Early Warning System for Tsunami, and Basic Map Reading.

Aside from the discussion, participants composed of municipal and barangay council officials also watched films and videos of experiences from historical earthquakes and tsunamis. (ANL/AMM-PIA 1 Pangasinan with reports from PIO)