MMDA urges public to join ‘surprise’ metro-wide quake drill next week

Marikina City jail inmates duck, cover and hold during the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, April 21, 2016.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged the public to participate and take the upcoming shake drill seriously in order to enhance the public’s preparedness during earthquake situations.

MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia said on Saturday that as next week’s earthquake drill would be unannounced, the reaction of the public will neither be staged nor scripted.

“Preparations were well-coordinated during the three previous drills – there were actors, directors, scenarios. But this time, it would be different as no one can predict when earthquake can happen,” Garcia said in a statement.

According to Garcia, the fourth Metro Manila Shake Drill will only be announced on the day of the drill itself with the help of telecommunication companies and other public and private institutions.

READ: MMDA to hold surprise quake drill anytime this month

“We are urging everyone to participate in the drill, wherever you are, no matter what you are doing. We want to make actions more spontaneous as possible,” Garcia added.

The continuous Metro Manila Shake Drill aims to prepare the public for the 7.2 magnitude earthquake popularly known as the “The Big One.”

The fourth Metro Manila Shake Drill will happen at 3 pm any day next week, the MMDA said. /muf