Public urged: Join surprise quake drill

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has urged the public to participate and take the upcoming surprise shake drill seriously in order to enhance their preparedness during an earthquake.

MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia said on Saturday that since the date of next week’s earthquake drill would be unannounced, the reaction of the public would 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 [an] earthquake can happen,” Garcia said in a statement.

The yearly Metro Manila Shake Drill aims to prepare the public for the 7.2 magnitude earthquake referred to as the “Big One.” The exercise will happen anytime next week, starting at 3 p.m.

Garcia said the date of the fourth Metro Manila Shake Drill would be announced only on the day itself with the information to be disseminated with the help of telecommunication companies and other public and private institutions.