By
HIROHITO D. CADION
PAGADIAN
CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Aug. 17 (PNA) -– A simultaneous drill, joined by more
than 2,000 people, was held here Monday marking the commemoration of the strong
earthquake and tsunami that hit this city exactly 39 years ago.
The
City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) spearheaded the
conduct of the simultaneous earthquake and tsunami drills at 8 a.m. Monday.
Haron
Damada, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said the
simultaneous drills were participated in by the residents of six urban coastal
barangays that were among the hardest hit areas by the strong earthquake and
tsunami on August 17, 1976.
The
hardest hit barangays were the following: Dumagoc; Kawit; Santa Lucia;
Santiago; San Pedro; and White Beach.
The
other participants of the simultaneous drills included teachers, students,
barangay officials, members of the Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT),
Philippine Red Cross volunteers, hospital staffs, soldiers, policemen, firemen,
and fire volunteers.
Damada
said the simultaneous drills kicked-off as the alarm system sounded at the City
Commercial Center. The alarm signaled the evacuation to the identified and safe
shelter areas.
The
earthquake and tsunami drills were followed by a commemorative program
conducted at the tsunami marker at the corners of Pajares and Pulmones Avenues
that was attended by provincial and city officials headed by Gov. Antonio
Cerilles and Mayor Romeo Pulmones, respectively.
It
will be recalled that 1,440 people died, 7,701 were injured and 909 were
recorded missing when an earthquake and tsunami hit this city on August 17,
1976.
At
least 49,848 were also rendered homeless and most of the casualties and
destruction were caused by a 20-foot high tsunami with a velocity of 720
kilometers per hour spawned by the 7.7 intensity earthquake.
The
epicenter of the earthquake was at the Moro Gulf. (PNA)
LAP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION
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