PARADOXICAL

Quick Lessons from the GenSan Quake

Experiencing earthquake during the time of social media gives us an advantage of seeing blow by blow accounts without using one word. It's amazing how a lot of people can have enough presence of mind to document such a terrifying thing as it happens.

Here are some of the lessons learned so far based on our vicarious experience of the Intensity 7.8 earthquake that struck General Santos City and thereabouts on June 8, 2026 through social media--sadly on the first day of classes of schoolchildren.

- Wide open spaces are essential. It is where people instinctively run to for safety and where they can build tent cities. Wide, preferably green, open spaces are not idle properties in times like this.

- With shaking that strong, it is best to sit down on the ground or drop on all fours instead of trying to remain standing, to prevent dizziness and not add to the number of casualties.

- Building substandard structures is simply criminal--and doubly so when building in a known earthquake-prone area. (The sight of an Iglesia ni Cristo church standing unperturbed side by side a Jollibee building crashing to the ground drives home the message in a way no words can.)

- Not all building collapses are the same. According to an expert, there are at least three, including a pancake type of collapse.

- Damage to medical institutions would mean grappling with the unfortunate sight of patients being brought out of the building and spilling into the streets.

- Large trees for shade are essential, especially if the weather is hot.

- In case of rain, there should be tents available, if there are no other safe and sturdy structures to run to.

- In a big city, the water source could be cut off. There should be alternative sources of potable water. Restoring tap water is top priority.

- In a big city, the electricity could be cut off. Although not immediately life-threatening unless in hospital settings, this deprivation further intensifies the suffering of survivors. Restoring power is top priority.

- Food supply could be cut off, so restoring the public market or creating a new makeshift one is urgent. Displaced individuals and families would have to rely on ready-to-eat food packs and dole outs from outside.

- The transportation system could be severely broken, preventing rescue and relief operations. Repairing damaged roads and bridges is top priority--or at least removing mobility obstuctions.

- It is good to have a stock of canned goods, bottled water, and easy-to-cook food at home, reserved just for this emergency situation--provided they can be easily retrieved (together with an emergency Go Bag) when disaster strikes.

- Those who are on maintenance medicine will need to procure their meds somewhere.

- In case of a tsunami advisory, coastal towns need a higher ground to run to, as pre-agreed upon, preferably with proper provisions.

- Despite regular earthquake drills, people will panic when the real thing strikes, especially a 7.8 temblor. Frightened individuals can't help but scream and shout, putting everyone else further feeling on edge. But without regular earthquake drills, the panicked reactions would surely be much worse.

- Most people will shout, "Lord! Lord!" Filipinos openly call on God in times of frightening shaking of the ground.

- Individuals who are hypertensive and/or prone to panicking are most vulnerable. Those who are merely having panic attacks may be rushed to a cool dark place to calm down.

- Those who faint or get dizzy are often the ones needing wheelchairs, stretchers, and ambulance services. But obviously the top priority is rescuing and treating those who are actually injured.

- Retrieving the bodies of the dead is another major matter altogether.

- Even in the face of widespread devastation, looting might happen in places where there is a considerable amount of cash, food, or other resources.

- Crashing buildings produce dust and aerosol that people should stay away from.

- Fire might also break out in devastated structures.

- One wonders how everyone is coping with the trauma. Do they even have access to basic psychological first aid? Ordinary people must be trained in it instead of waiting forever for professional help.

- It is in tent cities and other mass evacuation places that local governments and NGOs can extend help the most and offer aid immediately. But what if the rescuers are themselves victims or casualties? Neighborhoods and barangays and local organizations had to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, or else actively seek outside help.

posted by Resty Odon  # 12:24 AM