Remembering the 1990 earthquake

Last Saturday was the day 15 years ago when an intensity 7.7 earthquake brought Dagupan City down to its knees.

Anyone who saw the extent of the city’s devastation at that time would think that Dagupan will never stand up again. It was everyone’s worst nightmare: Many downtown buildings either leaned or sank; Magsaysay bridge fell; the roads were badly broken and most business people were already keen on moving their businesses to neighboring towns.

But in the face of the tragedy, Dagupeños did not give up. They held on and worked hard together to rebuild the city. And it was this sheer determination and tenacity to survive and to rise from the rubbles that saved Dagupan from becoming a ghost town to become the progressive city that it is today.

More than the destruction, what we remember from those trying times was the unprecedented unity and patience of Dagupeños that made it easier to rehabilitate the city.

Everybody understood then that everyone had to walk downtown because jeepneys should not be allowed in. Everybody understood then that everyone had to make do with whatever water available because the Dagupan City Water District had to make sure its pipes were not contaminated.

Everyone also understood why the city plaza had to be converted into a public market and why it took some time for some areas to have electricity.

The private sector then did its part very well. It was largely this group that boosted the morale of businesses by encouraging them to hold on and stay. It was the private sector that provided the necessary muscle to the overstretched government machinery to make sure that the city was heading towards full recovery.

Where government could not go, the private sector was there. They were simply too willing to share their time, talents and even resources that to ensure that the situation in the city was improving.

It was a tragedy turned into an opportunity.

As we remember that fateful day, we can only wish such show of unity had remained until today. We can only wish our people today still have with them same amount of patience they had then. We can only wish that the same spirit of volunteerism is evident today, even if there is no disaster.

The earthquake certainly taught us a valuable lesson: that we can only be strong if we are united. I can only hope we have learned this lesson well.

ENDNOTES: The 67th Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Dagupan led by its president, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, was a resounding success. There were more than 500 Rotarians and Rotari-anns from 44 clubs and four Inner Wheel Clubs in attendance… The League of Municipalities of the Philippines Pangasinan Chapter has affirmed its full and unequivocal support to President Arroyo. The LMP met in Urdaneta City, where 34 (out of 44) mayors attended and signed the manifesto of support for GMA.

QUICK QUOTE: To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. -- Donald Laird