In a heartfelt message, Ariel Nepomuceno, the head of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Philippines, expressed his deep condolences to those affected by the recent 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan. The quake, which occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday, led to 27 injuries, triggered landslides, and caused extensive damage to residential areas.
Nepomuceno conveyed his sympathies, stating, ‘Our sincerest sympathies are with the earthquake victims in Taiwan. We offer our prayers as they recover from the damage and distress caused by this natural disaster.’ He highlighted the shared vulnerability of both nations to seismic activities due to their locations along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Acknowledging Taiwan’s efforts in disaster management since the devastating earthquake of 1999, Nepomuceno praised their advancements in building codes and early warning systems. He emphasized the importance of disaster resilience and urged Filipinos to enhance their preparedness, noting, ‘Disasters can strike at any moment. It is crucial that we level up our preparedness. Remember, your safety does not solely depend on rescuers or government agencies—it is your responsibility. Take action now, because every ounce of preparation counts.’
Nepomuceno also expressed optimism about the Philippines’ progress in disaster risk reduction, mentioning recognition from a top UN official as a sign of being on the right path towards building a more resilient nation.