DILG, Army, and RIACC Coordinate Quake Readiness in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY — In rapid response to the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck off the coast of Davao Oriental on October 10, the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (RIACC) VIII held an emergency meeting at the DILG Regional Office to coordinate preparedness measures across Eastern Visayas.

The meeting, chaired by Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) VIII Chairperson and OCD Regional Director Lord Byron P. Torrecarion, PhD, brought together key regional officials, including DILG Regional Director Ariel M. Agabe, and representatives from the Philippine Army—COL Rudyard Garcia of Joint Task Group Tacloban and LT.COL Lucky Valenzuela of the 8th Forward Service Support Unit, ASCOM, PA.

With PHIVOLCS issuing a Tsunami Alert Level 1 in parts of Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar, RIACC closely coordinated with local government units to ensure the organized evacuation of residents in coastal barangays. Response teams and mobility assets were put on standby for immediate deployment if the situation escalated.

Director Torrecarion stressed the crucial role of early coordination and inter-agency cooperation in mitigating secondary hazards such as tsunamis, while Director Agabe reiterated DILG’s guidance to LGUs in enforcing timely and effective preparedness actions.

The Philippine Army confirmed its readiness to provide manpower, transportation, and logistical support to affected areas as required.

Authorities continue to urge the public to stay vigilant, avoid spreading unverified information, and follow official advisories from PHIVOLCS, OCD, and their respective LGUs.