WestValleyFault.com Weekly Digest - 2026-10-12

WestValleyFault.com Weekly Newsletter From the Editor Two earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or higher were recorded in the Philippines this week, one in Tawi-Tawi on October 6 and one offshore Davao Occidental on October 8. Neither involved the West Valley Fault, but both are a reminder that the country's seismic activity doesn't wait for a headline. The quieter story in this week's report is the more useful one. Negros Oriental and Siquijor have started inventorying public buildings and running rapid visual inspections. It's a first screening, not a substitute for a full engineering evaluation, and the same logic applies at home: a quick look around is where preparedness starts, not where it ends. Details below. Stay informed. Prepare deliberately. — Gerry B. Founder & Publisher, WestValleyFault.com This Week's Report The Philippine Air Force and Japan's Air Self-Defense Force ran Doshin-Bayanihan 6-26 from October 4–9, testing airdrops, mass-casualty response, aeromedical evacuation, and logistics in the Visayas and Palawan. The Visayas leg of HANDA Pilipinas 2026 (October 7–9) included a DOST–PCCI technology clinic linking businesses and local governments with disaster-resilience assistance. Negros Oriental and Siquijor began inventorying public buildings and running rapid visual inspections, a baseline screening rather than a full engineering evaluation. PHIVOLCS posted procurement notices for seismic and tsunami upgrades, including a portable broadband seismic system, autodetection software, and a shake-table system. None are awarded or operational yet. PHIVOLCS-confirmed M5.0+ earthquakes this week: Mw 5.0 in Tawi-Tawi (October 6) and Mw 5.6 offshore Davao Occidental (October 8). Read the Full Report: Weekly Earthquake Intelligence Report — Issue #016 One Thing to Do This Week Do a Ten-Minute Home Walk-Through Borrow an idea from this week's rapid building inspections: walk through your home with a notepad and look for things that could hurt someone in a shake. Check for tall furniture or shelves that aren't anchored to the wall, heavy items stored up high, hanging objects over beds and sofas, and anything blocking a doorway or exit. Fix what you can this week and write down what you can't. A walk-through like this is a quick screening, not a structural assessment. If you spot cracks or damage that worry you, ask a licensed engineer to take a proper look. Coming Soon: WVF Resilience Projects Monitor We're building something new — a tracker following verified earthquake-resilience projects across the Philippines, spanning seismic retrofits, early-warning systems, responder training, hazard mapping, and disaster financing. A paid Resilience Project Alerts service is also in development, delivering status-change notifications and a weekly source-linked intelligence brief. More details — and the link to explore it — coming in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned. Recommended Readings What Hazards Surround Your Child’s School? When the Power Goes Out After an Earthquake: Is the BLUETTI AC70 Enough for Your Family? Can El Niño Cause Earthquakes? What the Science Actually Says The Safest Places in the Philippines Are Getting New Attention—from Remote Workers High-Rise Earthquake Evacuation, Part 2: Thirty Floors Down to Safety See more articles on Special Reports For Remote Workers & Travelers Living or working away from home? Preparedness isn't only about earthquakes. If you travel frequently or work remotely abroad, having appropriate medical coverage is another part of planning for the unexpected. Explore SafetyWing insurance for digital nomads and international travelers. (Affiliate disclosure: WestValleyFault.com may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no additional cost to you.) Stay Connected f in X IG ▶ If you enjoyed this issue, pass it along WestValleyFault.com 41 Kamagong, Marikina Philippines You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us. Unsubscribe