MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano ordered Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) officer-in-charge Fernando Dy Jr. on Monday, February 13, to coordinate with local officials of quake-stricken Surigao City to identify the needs of the victims.
"Importante nga ma-identify ang needs aron masiguro nga immediate nga magamit sa mga biktima ang atong ihatag nga tabang (It's important to identify the needs to ensure that we can give the victims immediate help)," Emano said.
The governor said a portion of the funds from the PDRRMO and resources from the Provincial Social Welfare Office will be used for the assistance to be extended for Surigao.
"I was saddened of the incident that happened in Surigao and I will make sure that the province will provide whatever assistance (is) needed in the neighboring area," Emano said.
The PDRRMO is expected to submit the needs assessment of the quake victims in Surigao this week.
Emano also ordered the engineering department to direct all town engineers in the province to assess the integrity of the structures and buildings including the provincial roads.
The governor said this is to determine whether the structures and roads have to be repaired to prevent damages in the event of an earthquake.
Provincial Information Officer Nicole Managbanag said provincial engineers will also check the integrity of the capitol building to come up with recommendations for renovation and improvement.
"Apil pud ang building sa kapitolyo ipa-check ni Governor Emano kung unsa kini ka lig-on nga mosagang kung dunay linog kay karaan na kaayo ang structure (Governor Emano wants the capitol building be checked to know if it's strong enough to withstand earthquakes since the structure is already old)," Managbanag said.
She also said the PDRRMO regularly conducts symposia and earthquake drills in schools to inform the public on the do's and don'ts during earthquakes.
Last year, the PDRRMO has identified five active fault lines in Misamis Oriental that include the Alubijid-Lanao thrust fault, Tagoloan fault, Magsaysay fault, Balingasag-Cabanglasan fault and Gingoog Mindanao central fault line.
