The local government unit of Itbayat, Batangas ensures that the houses in the town can endure both tropical cyclones and earthquakes.
Itbayat councilor Jesse Estoy explained on Wednesday, March 22, that the municipality traditionally used limestones and other stones.
However, the magnitude 6.0 earthquake in 2019 destroyed many buildings in Itbayat, and prompted the local government unit to review the infrastructures in the municipality.
"Tinitignan namin na yung mga ginagawa namin bahay ay hindi lamang typhoon-proof, pero earthquake-proof na rin," Estoy told DZRH
"Made of concrete na rin yung mga bahay namin. Though meron pa rin mga light-materials na bahay, we make sure na matitibay sila," he added.
The LGU of Itbayat has also initiated the program YARU:&nbsp;A Whole-of-Community Approach Towards Disaster Management.
Estoy explained that the LGU, national government agenices, alongside other members of the community work hand-in-hand to address issues caused by disasters, particularly tropical cyclones.
"Ito yung traditional practice or concept ng bayanihan. Kung saan ang mga community members ay kusang nagtutulungan or nagbibigay ng resources sa mga nangangailangan sa community,"&nbsp;Estoy said.
The LGU of Itbayat received the Galing Pook Award in 2022 due to the said program.
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