Manila, Sept. 10 -- The Iloilo provincial government has equipped its employees with hard hats, rechargeable headlights and emergency whistles as part of its earthquake preparedness measures.

Alfonso Baldonado III, chief of the Administrative and Training Division of the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said Thursday the helmets provide added protection, particularly for the head, during earthquakes.

The standard earthquake safety procedure is to "duck, cover and hold," but the helmets provide additional protection from falling debris, Baldonado said.

The 2,300 hard hats have been distributed to provincial government offices for use by employees and clients when needed.

Baldonado said Governor ...