AQUINO GRATEFUL PHL SPARED FROM TSUNAMI
MANILA, MARCH 13, 2011 (STAR) By Aurea Calica - President Aquino was grateful that the Philippines was spared from a tsunami following the earthquake that hit Japan, but said the government would not let its guard down.
The Palace said it was aware of the need to conduct more drills, building inspections and public education must be done to ensure preparedness for when disasters would hit the country.
"First of all, we are thankful to our Lord God that our nation was spared from the devastation of a tsunami due to the earthquake in Japan," Aquino said upon his arrival on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 from his state visits to Indonesia and Singapore.
The President said he had conveyed the Philippines' sympathies to Japan and would continue to coordinate with them to ensure that Filipinos there were safe and were being given proper assistance.
He said it was good that the alert level on a possible tsunami had been lifted in coastal areas but the government would continue to watch the communities to ensure their safety.
The President stressed that the government had been addressing the needs of the people from disaster preparedness to long-term goals such as improving the economy.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio station dzRB that the government was happy with the quick response of concerned departments and agencies and the bayanihan spirit, particularly by the media, in disseminating information when the tsunami alert was raised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
"We are grateful that we were spared, it would have been tragic because there are many people living in the coastal areas," he said. "We should really see that this is an act of God."
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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