Phivolcs tells areas with active faults: Prepare for the ‘Big One’

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) has reiterated its call for the public to prepare for the “Big One” in their respective cities and provinces, particularly those with active faults.

In an interview on Thursday afternoon on the sidelines of the three-day 2026 Handa Pilipinas Exposition Visayas leg in Palo, Leyte, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the term “Big One,” which refers to a worst-case earthquake scenario, should not be associated only with the Greater Metro Manila Area but also with every region or province vulnerable to high-magnitude earthquakes.

“We are so Manila-centric. This is the reason we are bringing the Handa Pilipinas Exposition to the provinces – to make people aware of the bigger ones in their area and to help them understand the hazards,” Bacolcol said.

“The probability of strong earthquakes in the provinces is high. If the Philippine Fault and Philippine Trench move, they will affect many areas in the country, including Leyte Island.”

The Philippine fault zone is a major 1,200-km. to 1,500-km. strike-slip fault system that cuts across the archipelago from Luzon to Mindanao.

The Philippine Trench, stretching from Eastern Luzon to Southeastern Mindanao, is one of the country’s major active ocean trenches and can generate strong earthquakes.

Bacolcol noted that although no destructive ground shaking has been reported since a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck offshore southern Mindanao on June 8, communities should remain prepared as the country experiences an average of 30 earthquakes daily, most of which are not felt.

He urged the public to check the HazardHunterPH website and application to determine whether their areas are located near active faults or are vulnerable to other hazards.

The country has approximately 180 active faults, or faults that have moved within the past 10,000 years and are expected to move again.

Phivolcs also called on the public to familiarize themselves with scenario-based hazards and risks. These scenarios can guide the planning and implementation of appropriate disaster preparedness measures and response actions, particularly at the community and family levels.

-Philippine News Agency