Time to ‘duck, cover, hold’ in 2nd PH-wide quake drill
GO TO open spaces. Then practice “duck, cover and hold.”
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued this reminder on Sunday amid its preparations for the second nationwide earthquake drill next month.
“Get down from the stations and go to an open space. You will be safe there,” MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos replied when asked what Metro Rail Transit passengers should do once the sirens sound on June 22, signaling the start of the nationwide exercise.
According to Carlos who was interviewed on the MMDA’s Sunday radio program, people do not have to go to any of Metro Manila’s four quadrants to be safe. Earlier, the agency divided the metropolis into four areas to speed up disaster response.
“The quadrants are not evacuation centers. They are where our personnel, those from (local government units) and rescuers, have command and control. So these are where the relief goods will be coming from,” he said.
Carlos added that each local government unit would also have its own “operations center” on June 22.
The private sector should also be prepared, particularly where their employees could be safely evacuated, he said.
According to Amante Salvador, director of the MMDA health, public safety and environmental protection office, apart from that of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard has also volunteered the use of its equipment during the nationwide earthquake drill.
Carlos said that thermal and sonar equipment would also be used by MMDA rescue personnel.
