The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has ordered regional offices in Northern Luzon to immediately assess and enhance local government preparedness for potential earthquakes and tsunamis following a series of tremors off the coast of Ilocos Sur.

OCD chief Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno directed regional directors in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon to conduct urgent meetings with local officials and review evacuation plans, particularly those related to potential tsunamis generated by the Manila Trench.

“Check preparations for earthquakes, with a possible tsunami resulting from the movement of the Manila Trench,” Nepomuceno said in a statement.

“Delve into the details as discussed in the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell meeting today. I understand that your areas are not as prepared as we desire, but we must remedy this situation now,” he added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 49 earthquakes from 17 to 20 December off Santa Catalina, Ilocos Sur. The strongest — a magnitude 5.0 tremor — occurred on 19 December 2024 at around 9 a.m.

Phivolcs said that the sequence of earthquakes is associated with the active subduction along the Manila Trench, a deep oceanic trench located west of the islands of Luzon and Mindoro.  

Nepomuceno stressed the need for communities to be ready for potential tsunamis, even if warnings are issued.

“Double-check preparations and ‘reactions’ (not just responses after an incident) in case of a tsunami, assuming that warnings are effective,” Nepomuceno said. “What can be done in 20 minutes by the vulnerable communities?”

“I know it’s challenging, especially since we have not yet achieved our ideal level of preparedness and with the holidays approaching. But please do your best despite the limitations,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has issued a memorandum directing OCD Regional Offices I, II, and III to undertake specific actions related to local tsunami preparedness.