Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday, July 28, said they are gathering information on the extent of the damage caused by a magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon to determine Negros Occidental’s assistance.
“We’ll get information first as to the extent and if they declared a state of calamity. Our policy is it’s better to help than to receive,” he said.
When Negros Occidental was hit by Typhoon “Odette” other local government units also helped Negros Occidental, he said.
The provincial government usually sends P1 million in aid, he said.
Abra Governor Dominic Valera said on Thursday that his entire province has been placed under a state of calamity.
The Caritas Philippines of the Catholic Church has launched the “Alay Kapwa para sa Northern Luzon” fund drive, which aims to support efforts in addressing the immediate needs of earthquake victims.
Lacson admitted that Negros Occidental will never be prepared enough for an earthquake similar to the one that hit Abra.
“We’re far behind being prepared against something like an earthquake,” he said.
“For example school buildings have to be rebuilt but we don’t have the resources,” Lacson said.
The province has more applications now to know where the earthquake fault lines are so it’s up to local government units to react to that information, he said.
He also said from time to time earthquake drills need to be revisited.*