Philippine Embassy in Tokyo: Filipino community members pool resources to help those affected by quake

A March 14, 2011 press release by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Filipino community members are reaching out to those who were affected by the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on March 11.

“Filipinos in Tokyo, Osaka and Western Japan are deemed relatively safe. In fact some of them have pooled their efforts and resources in helping those who were adversely affected by the quake,” Ambassador Manuel Lopez said.

According to the consular team which was dispatched Sunday by the Embassy to Sendai city, there are so far no Filipinos among the recorded fatalities.

The Embassy team arrived in Sendai city shortly before midnight of Sunday (local time), where they touched base with 10 Filipino students from the Tohoku University, all of whom are safe.

The team is going around Sendai today, Monday. They went to two evacuation centers—the Tachimachi Elementary School and the Kimachidori Elementary School–where they found Filipinos there in safe condition. The message board of the evacuation centers also contained the Embassy’s contact details should there be a need to establish contact.

The team also reported that the 30 seafarers earlier brought to Fukushima by their company after the quake are now on their way to the Narita airport.

“We are likewise sending another team to Sendai and Morioka today to personally get in touch with the local authorities so we can further gauge the extent of damage this disaster has brought on among our fellow Filipinos living in the quake-affected areas. They will be bringing relief goods such as food and water for our nationals,” Ambassador Lopez said.

Earlier, Ambassador Lopez was able to contact Filipino community leaders in Hokkaido, who reported that Filipinos in the eastern part of Hokkaido, namely Kushido, Nemuro, Abashiri and Hakodate, are safe.

He likewise reiterated that the Embassy is on a 24-hour operation to immediately respond to the calls of Filipino nationals who are in emergency situations.

Earlier, the Embassy issued an advisory to the Filipino community to take necessary precautions and report to the Embassy or the Philippine Consulates nearest them any incident of injuries or fatalities among Filipinos.

The advisory also reiterated the advice of Japanese authorities for them to proceed to city halls or fire stations in cases of emergency so they can receive immediate instructions and care.

In Manila, upon the direction of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) has activated a Crisis Management Center for families who have relatives in Japan.

Undersecretary Esteban B. Conejos is leading the efforts in support of the work of the Embassy in Tokyo and the five Consulates in Japan.

Philippine Embassy officers and staff in Tokyo, as well as those in the Consulate General in Osaka headed by Consul General Maria Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez and the Honorary Consulates in Sapporo, Morioka, Nagoya and Naha, are reaching out to Filipino community leaders and members, as well as quickly responding to requests for assistance or information.

In Osaka, the Consulate General there reported that as of today, there are no reports of any casualties among the Filipino nationals in the 28 prefectures under its jurisdiction.

The Embassy and the Consulates are maintaining close contact with city and prefectural governments, and have full personnel complements ready to mobilize and provide assistance.

Filipinos may contact the following Embassy numbers in cases of emergency: (03)5562-1573, (03)5562-1574, (03)5562-1570, (03)5562-1590. The Embassy can also be reached by email through: emergency@philembassy.net.

The consulates’ hotlines are as follows: (06) 6910-7881 for the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka, (011) 614-8090 for the Honorary Consulate in Sapporo, and (019) 629-9139 for the Honorary Consulate in Morioka.

The hotline numbers at the DFA-OUMWA’s Crisis Management Center are 834-4646 and 834-4580. Requests for information may also be sent through e-mail address

dfaoumwa.cmc@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Source:  http://www.gov.ph/2011/03/14/philippine-embassy-in-tokyo-filipino-community-members-pool-resources-to-help-those-affected-by-quake/)

When Kobe rose from the ruins

The following link is from the website of the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism and dwells on how Japan was able to recover from the disastrous earthquake in Kobe which hit that city on January 17, 1995: 

http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=6130

Public Service Announcement: Intensity 4.0 Earthquake Rocks Quezon City and NCR - Implications for the Diliman Community

(Source: Phivolcs. To see an enlarged
version of the image, just click on it)

A moderately strong earthquake rocked Metro Manila and surrounding areas Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 1:29 p.m.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the quake measured at 6.0 magnitude with the epicenter estimated at 27 kilometers southwest of Lubang Island. It had a depth of 25 kilometers.

The Phivolcs head said areas surrounding the fragile Marikina Valley System, the most active fault line in the country, were not severely affected although more than 30-second shaking was felt in Pasig City.

"It's because the epicenter of the quake is in Mindoro. But we received reports that they felt mild to moderate temblor there," he said.

The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 25 kilometers underground.

It was felt at intensity 4 in Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City, Makati City, Pasay City, Taguig City, and Talisay, Batangas.

Intensity 3 was felt in Marikina City, Tagaytay City, Bagac, Bataan; Canlubang, Laguna; Clark, Pampanga; Rosario and Trece Martires City in Cavite.

Intensity 2 was registered in Calamba, Laguna; Legazpi City, Albay; and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

The Marikina Fault Line is the most geologically active fault line in the Philippines, but haa not shifted in a massive earthquake for at least 500 years. However, scientists say it is only a matter of time before the "big one" hits.

The Marikina Fault Line is located east of Metro Manila and passes from Rizal, Marikina City, Quezon City- especially Libis, Ateneo de Manila University campus, and is only one kilometer away from Quezon Hall in U.P. Diliman to, Pasig City, Laguna de Bay, leading to Taal Volcano.

Even Sunken Garden, in front of U.P. Diliman's College of Business Administration might not be spared from related geological shifts. Basically a basin, Sunken Garden is a "garden" that is believed to sink every year since it lies in a fault line. Because of the water spring that originates from it, the Sunken Garden used to be half-submerged in water (http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/Sunken_Garden).


DOST and Phivolcs earthquake guide for Diliman-area residents

Some scientists say that once the fault moves, it will also lead to the eruption of Taal Volcano, just like what happened in June 1990 earthquake, when the Digdig Fault in Central Luzon caused the Mount Pinatubo (which has been dormant for nearly 600 years) to erupt a year later (July 1991).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Department of Science and Technology have issued the following guidelines that Diliman-are and adjoining area residents should follow for the sake of earthquake preparedness:

Disasters such as earthquakes occur without any warning, thus, there is a need to prepare especially if you happen to live in an earthquake-prone area.

The following guide on what to do before, during and after an earthquake from can help you prepare and stay safe in the event of an earthquake:

BEFORE

The key to effective disaster prevention is planning:

• Know the earthquake hazards
• Follow structural design and engineering practices when constructing a house or building.
• Evaluate the structural soundness of the buildings and houses; strengthen or retrofit if necessary.
• Prepare your homes, workplace or schools:
• Strap or bolt heavy furnitures/cabinets to the walls.
• Check the stability of hanging objects like ceiling fans and chandeliers.
• Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable materials should be stored properly in the lowermost secured shelves.
• Familiarize yourself with the exit routes.
• Know where fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms and communication facilities are located. Learn how use them beforehand.
• Prepare a handy emergency supply kit with first aid kit, canned food and can opener, water, clothing, blanket, battery-operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries.
• Conduct and participate in regular earthquake drills.

DURING

• Stay calm.
• When you are INSIDE a structurally sound building or home…STAY THERE!
• If possible quickly open the door for exit.
• Duck under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it, or protect your head with your arms.
• Stay away from glass windows, shelves, cabinets and other heavy objects.
• Beware of falling objects. Be alert and keep your eyes open.
• If you're OUTSIDE…move to an open area!
• Stay away from trees, powerlines, posts and concrete structures.
• Move away from steep slopes which may be affected by landslides.
• If you’re near the shore and feel an earthquake, especially if it’s too strong, move quickly to higher ground. Tsunamis might follow
• If you’re in a moving vehicle, STOP and get out! Do not attempt to cross bridges, overpasses, or flyovers which may have been damaged.

AFTER

• Be prepared for aftershocks. Once the shaking stops, take the fastest and safest way out of the building.

Don't:

• use elevators,
• enter damaged buildings
• use telephones unless necessary
• PANIC

Check:

• yourself and others for injuries
• water and electrical lines for damages
• for spills of chemicals, toxic and flammable materials and control fires which may spread
• If you need to evacuate your residence, leave a message stating where you are going and bring your emergency supply kit and keep updated on disaster prevention instructions from battery-operated radios.