SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — After a series of high-intensity earthquakes shook parts of the Philippines, the Provincial Government of Zambales is stepping up preparations for the “Big One,” a potential catastrophic earthquake that could devastate Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

During the Emergency Response Meeting and Contingency Briefing, various government agencies in Zambales discussed the possibility of the “Big One” striking the country anytime soon. The briefing was part of the Provincial Training-Workshop on Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan Formulation.

The three-day workshop, which began on 13 October 2025, is being held at Travelers Hotel inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the discussions centered on enhancing the preparedness and immediate response of key government agencies in the province to potential calamities or disasters that may affect Zambales.

He added that the meeting aimed to strengthen coordination between local and national government agencies and ensure that all municipal governments in the province are ready in case of a major crisis.

Around 200 participants joined the workshop, including local chief executives from various Zambales municipalities, the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Municipal Planning and Development Council, Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, hospital chiefs, municipal health officers, the Provincial Engineering Office, and members of the provincial financial cluster.

The provincial government is set to implement a three-tiered contingency plan to prepare for the “Big One,” which involves identifying risks, developing and executing response measures for each stage, and assessing the plan’s overall effectiveness.

The three-tiered contingency plan includes: Intelligence Gathering and Forecasting, which focuses on collecting data and anticipating risks; Target Hardening, which involves preparation and mitigation efforts; and Incident Management, which covers post-disaster response and recovery operations.

Ebdane said that while Metro Manila has formulated its own contingency plan for the “Big One,” Zambales must also develop a localized version tailored to its landscape and communities.

He noted that aside from the threat of a major earthquake, the province could also face a potential tsunami due to its rugged coastline along the West Philippine Sea, dotted with coves, inlets, and islands.

The “Big One” refers to a hypothetical, catastrophic magnitude 7.2 earthquake projected to strike Metro Manila and nearby regions. Zambales, located within a seismically active zone, faces multiple earthquake-related hazards.