The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a stern reminder to the public — the threat of a massive earthquake isn’t confined to Metro Manila. In fact, equally powerful quakes could strike other parts of the country, potentially causing even greater devastation.
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Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol emphasized that while the spotlight is often on the West Valley Fault, it’s far from the only concern. “The world doesn’t revolve around West Valley Fault and marami pang bigger ones in other parts of the country, huwag nating kalimutan,” Bacolcol said, warning Filipinos not to be complacent.
Beyond the Capital: Hidden Threats Across the Philippines
The so-called “Big One” — often associated with a potential magnitude 7.2 quake in Metro Manila — has long been a focus of disaster preparedness efforts. However, Bacolcol explained that other areas of the Philippines face similar or even higher risks due to the country’s complex network of fault lines.
He noted that the Philippine Fault in Nueva Ecija could unleash a magnitude 7.9 earthquake strong enough to generate a tsunami up to nine to ten meters high. Meanwhile, the Negros Trench, a 400-kilometer-long underwater fault, has the potential to produce a magnitude 8.2 quake, which could result in extensive destruction across nearby islands.
Check whether your barangay is ready for the ‘Big One’.
“Everyone Should Prepare”
Bacolcol urged Filipinos to take disaster preparedness seriously, regardless of where they live. “That’s the reason why everybody should prepare… Lahat ng mga Filipinos should prepare kasi hindi lang sa Metro Manila pwede magkaroon ng malaking lindol,” he said.
He stressed that focusing solely on Metro Manila’s West Valley Fault overlooks the country’s many other active faults, each capable of triggering a major seismic event.
Continuous Monitoring and Research
Phivolcs, together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), reassured the public that ongoing monitoring and scientific research are being conducted to better understand earthquake hazards nationwide.
The agency also called on local governments and communities to boost disaster resilience by strengthening awareness campaigns, enforcing building standards, and conducting regular earthquake drills.
As the Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, experts say preparation is the nation’s best defense. The reminder from Phivolcs serves as a wake-up call — the “Big One” might not just be Metro Manila’s problem, but a national one.
Source: Philnews
West Valley Fault 
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