Manado, Ekuatorial – Despite Manado was considered as prone to natural disaster, its government was still unprepared for safety measures, said a lecturer, in Manado, South Sulawesi, on Thursday (20/11).
Professor Berty Sompie of Sam Ratulangi criticized on how city administration was lacking to socialize standard operating procedure or SOP for natural disaster to public. After several earthquakes potentially for tsunami recently, Sompie said people have yet to learn on how to evacuate themselves.
“Sending students to go home after earthquakes was wrong and dangerous. They might instead running to low lands which are prone to tsunami,” said Sompie.
Nevertheless, he praised local government for being responsive to deal with natural disaster alerts. However, they lack of socialization. “There is good coordination between local government, the army, and police. They were quite responsive to natural disaster,” he added.
Separately, head of North Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Noldy Liow, said they have taken necessary actions even post-disaster. Liow added that they have already installed tsunami early warning system in the city since 2011. “So, if there’s an earthquake, low tide potential for tsunami, the system will be heard within five kilometers as warning for residents [to evacuate],” he said.
In addition, the local government has been coordinating with the police, army, and search and rescue officials, among other related agencies. He said they already have set up the procedure if natural disaster hit the city, starting from evacuation and temporary shelter. Yoseph Ikanubun.