Bulacan heightens earthquake preparedness, set to carry out proactive building inspections
CITY OF MALOLOS – In light of the recent earthquakes felt across the country, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Bulacan convened an emergency Full Council Meeting yesterday, October 13, 2025, to reinforce the province’s preparedness and disaster response systems.
The meeting centered on strengthening local action plans, particularly on the evacuation procedures of each city and municipality, and the conduct of structural inspections by City and Municipal Engineers to ensure the stability and safety of buildings and other infrastructures in their respective areas.
PDRRMC Chairman and Governor Daniel R. Fernando, who presided over the meeting, underscored the importance of proactive disaster management, urging all local governments to carry out preemptive building inspections especially on old and public structures to ensure the safety of Bulakenyos.
“Sunud-sunod ang mga nagaganap na lindol, at dahil hindi ito tulad ng bagyo na kayang ma-detect nang maaga, ang pinakamabisang sandata laban dito ay ang ating kahandaan,” the governor said.
He also explained that while there were appeals from parents and students to shift to online learning amid earthquake threats, such decisions will be made at the national level.
Fernando also instructed the PDRRMO to strengthen advisory systems and community coordination efforts to ensure timely information dissemination and effective disaster response across the province.
The council also agreed to intensify public awareness initiatives by conducting orientations on proper earthquake preparedness and response measures to be headed by City/Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers.
However, the Provincial Government of Bulacan will implement measures to enhance local readiness and coordination systems such as conduct of orientations in schools and establishments to update response procedures, emphasizing evacuation to open spaces instead of the traditional “duck, cover, and hold” method, given the increasing intensity of recent tremors. ###