18/10/2025
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐| ๐๐ต๐ข๐บ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฅ: ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ด ๐๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ๐ณ๐ต๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐บ
Recently, successive ground tremors have stirred anxiety and fear among Filipinos. Following the destructive earthquakes that struck Cebu and Davao Oriental, along with mild shaking in parts of Luzon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) continues to monitor seismic activities around the country. These events have prompted many to wonder: Is the Big One coming soon?
๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ค๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ
At 9:59 pm on September 30, 2025, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, with its epicenter located 17 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, at an estimated depth of 5 kilometers. PHIVOLCS explained that the province lies along several active faults, including the Bogo Fault, Daanbantayan Lineament, and the Cebu Fault System, all capable of generating destructive earthquakes.
The quake left at least 70 fatalities, over 200 injured, and widespread destruction, placing Cebu under a state of calamity. Multiple aftershocks have been recorded since.
Meanwhile, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded on October 9, 2025 in La Union, with its epicenter located 3 kilometers northeast of the municipality of Pugo at a depth of 23 kilometers. The tremor was felt in nearby provinces such as Benguet, Mountain Province, and Pangasinan, but caused no major casualties or destruction, said PHIVOLCS.
A day later, on October 10, 2025, a "double earthquakeโ shook Davao Oriental, recording magnitudes 7.4 then 6.8 near Manay Town. According to PHIVOLCS director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, earthquakes of such intensity occurs when a fault system is complex enough to trigger multiple ruptures.
โThey usually occur when a fault or an earthquake generator is quite complicated, causing a trigger of sequence of earthquake events. It is very common for the Philippinesโ he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
The quake occurred along the Philippine Trench, prompting tsunami warnings in nearby coastal areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 8 deaths, over 400 injured, and 845,000 affected individuals.
๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ โ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐โ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ?
According to PHIVOLCS, the earthquakes in Cebu, Davao Oriental, and La Union are not related, as they occurred along different fault systems that are far from each other. Dr. Bacolcol clarified that these are just normal tectonic events, not precursors to the Big One.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most seismically active zone in the world. Here, the Philippine Sea Plate, Eurasian Plate, and other tectonic plates continuously move and collide, making earthquakes and volcanic activity part of the countryโs natural environment.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary Renato Solidum Jr. denied the claim that the Big One is soon to hit the country. He clarified that there is currently no scientific method or technology that can predict the exact time and location of an earthquake.
๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ข๐
In the meantime, officials emphasized that preparedness and awareness, rather than fear, remain the most effective responses against disasters. As Bacolcol stressed: โWe have to accept our reality that we are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and every now and then we will be jolted by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Instead of panicking, we have to prepare.โ
Thus, below are some safety measures to do before, during, and after an earthquake:
๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ
โข Secure an emergency go-bag with food, water, and first aid supplies
โข Familiarize yourself with the basic fault lines and evacuation routes near your area
โข Participate in earthquake drills
๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ
โข Take shelter under a sturdy desk and do the duck, cover, and hold
โข Stay away from glass windows, shelves, and other heavy objects
โข If outdoors, move to an open area
โข If near coastal areas, move to higher ground away from the shore
โข If in a moving vehicle, stop and get out. Do not cross bridges, overpasses, or flyovers.
๐๐ง๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ
โข Stay alert for possible aftershocks
โข Check yourself for injuries
โข Evacuate to a safe place
โข Monitor news updates and advisories
โข Watch out for debris and unstable structure
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฎ๐ง๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
Earthquakes are natural and unpredictable. While scientists cannot determine when the next โBig Oneโ will strike, preparedness can save lives. Remaining calm, informed, and ready makes all the difference in a country whose geographical location is defined by constant disasters and calamities. In the face of uncertainty, readiness remains the most reliable defense.
Be alert. Be informed. Be prepared.
๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ฃ๐บ ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ๐ป
๐๐ข๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ฃ๐บ ๐๐ข๐ค๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐๐ณ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข๐ณ๐ช๐ฐ
