Following the series of strong and destructive earthquakes that hit different areas in Mindanao, Senator Dick Gordon immediately requested the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to release significant data to educate the public on the condition of the stricken areas.
In a letter addressed to PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., Gordon stated that the consecutive disasters gave the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which he heads, a “cause to inform and prepare the public on the actual current situation as their safety is of utmost importance.”
“The consecutive disasters gave the Philippine Red Cross a cause to inform and prepare the public.”
The veteran legislator asked the following from PHIVOLCS:
1. Updated seismic status of Mindanao; current fault reading and other pertinent information which may be used to ensure the safety of the public;
2. Historical data on earthquakes that occurred in those areas for the past five years; and
3. Seismic map of Mindanao and the Philippines.
“With your support, the Philippine Red Cross will be more effective in extending help to the most vulnerable Filipinos,” the seasoned lawmaker said in the letter.
The PRC has been actively helping and extending its services to the areas hit and damaged by the earthquakes for the past two weeks by way of providing ambulances and water tankers, medical tents with generators and truckloads of support for evacuation centers.
“I have ordered PRC chapters to intensify their operations so that they could respond and send assistance immediately.”
The senator, who continuously monitors for updates on the disaster, has ordered the PRC chapters to intensify their operations so that they could respond and send assistance immediately.