The Office of Civil Defense announced that it has directed civil defense officials to intensify earthquake preparedness measures following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck areas of Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and other parts of Mindanao.

OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno has issued a memorandum ordering all regional directors to immediately boost campaigns on earthquake preparations which includes engaging with local government units, partners from the private sector and other relevant stakeholders on information dissemination.

Regional directors must also conduct regular meetings centered on earthquake preparedness, the memorandum read.

The OCD chief also said regional directors must support and enhance the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill and look at other scenarios they must also evaluate current measures on tsunamis, and conduct drills on these scenarios to ensure readiness, based on the memorandum order.

These officials will also undertake a Comprehensive Asset Inventory and Interoperability Assessment.