Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, Oct. 28, that he will ask officials of towns and cities in Negros Occidental to check on buildings in their areas to ensure that they can withstand earthquakes.
Lacson was reacting to the statement of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol on Monday that the Negros Trench is capable of generating a massive magnitude 8.2 earthquake.
Bacolcol said a magnitude 8.2 earthquake at the Negros Trench is capable of rocking the entire Negros Island.
The Negros Trench is an oceanic trench located west of the Negros Island Region.
“We should be prepared for the big one but we hope that it will not happen,” Lacson said.
The provincial government and all local government units should prepare, he said.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Monday reminded them to ensure that buildings are reinforced so they can withstand strong earthquakes, Lacson said.*