In observance of the UN-declared World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) 2025, the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and the City Government of Vigan are joining forces to raise tsunami awareness and encourage preparedness, especially of the coastal communities in Western Luzon at risk from the movement of the Manila Trench.

The culminating event is the 5-kilometer advocacy run dubbed “Tsunami! Run for Safety” in Vigan City on October 25, 2025, to kick off at 5:00 in the morning. Alongside the run, a Disaster Risk Reduction Information Exhibit and Response Assets Static Display will be staged at Plaza Burgos to showcase the available information materials as well as the capabilities of various agencies in responding to emergencies and disasters. A press conference, titled “InfoSentro sa PHIVOLCS,” will be held at the Mayor’s Office Lobby, Vigan City Hall to highlight the ongoing national, regional, and local initiatives and to motivate more inter-agency collaborations in building tsunami resilience in the country.

As an archipelago frequently affected by earthquakes, some of which are strong enough to generate tsunamis, DOST-PHIVOLCS continues to strengthen its tsunami risk reduction efforts. The Institute hopes that barangays in Vigan City will soon become one of the first in the Philippines to be recognized as a Tsunami Ready Community. UNESCO- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission awards the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme to localities that meet the established standards for tsunami preparedness and response.

DOST-PHIVOLCS invites the public and partner institutions to help spread tsunami awareness by sharing the official information materials available at  bit.ly/WTADtsunamiinfomats. These may be posted on social media using the hashtags: #WTAD2025 #TsunamiReadyPH #TsunamiDay #HandaAngMayAlam #OneDOST4U

 

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol
Director, DOST-PHIVOLCS
phivolcs_mail@phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
+632 8426-1468

 

Download PDF copy of the Press Release: https://bit.ly/Building-Tsunami-Ready-Communities