Manila, April 2 -- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday urged local goverment units (LGUs) to bolster their disaster preparedness efforts, warning that the recent earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand should serve as a wake-up call for the Philippines.

"We cannot afford complacency in preparing for the 'Big One,' especially since the Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire," he said in a statement.

Gatchalian is referring to a forecast that raises the possibility of a magnitude 7.0 level earthquake that might hit parts of the National Capital Region and nearby areas once the 100-kilometer-long active West Valley Fault moves.

He said it is thus important for LGUs to be fully equipped and empowered to respond quickly an...