INQUIRER.net photo / Katrina Hallare
MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Metro Manila woke up early on Saturday to participate in the Metro Manila-wide shake drill organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
But as metro residents simulate the emergency situation during the drill, a 5.4-magnitude quake struck the municipality of Itbatan, Batanes, killing and wounding several civilians in the area.
The quake was then followed by several strong aftershocks.
READ: 4 dead, 19 hurt in Batanes quake
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim, along with MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. led the ceremonial pressing of the button, which signaled the start of the earthquake drill at 4 a.m.
MMDA Chairman @GeneralDannyLim leads the ceremonial pressing of the button to kickstart the 5th #MMShakedrill pic.twitter.com/hGYJy188wt
— Official MMDA (@MMDA) July 26, 2019
The officials too did the standard “duck, cover and hold” practice during the drill.
— Official MMDA (@MMDA) July 26, 2019
Some local government units actively participated in the drill, such as Valenzuela City where Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office set up tents as part of the drill.
Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office #VCDRRMO now setting up its Incident Command Post in participation of the #MMSHAKEDRILL
📸 @rcdeguzmanG12 pic.twitter.com/FdOOtV754l— Valenzuela City (@valenzuelacity) July 26, 2019
The cities of Mandaluyong and Manila also took part in the shake drill.
https://twitter.com/MandaluyongDRRM/status/1154892632612466688
LOOK: First responders from various offices and agencies conduct an earthquake drill in Sta. Cruz, Manila in line with the MMDA’s annual Metro Manila Shake Drill
(Photos by KR De Asis/MPIO)#AlertoManileno pic.twitter.com/Ps8FOayP8T
— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) July 27, 2019
The MMDA officials first inspected the East Quadrant, which was located in the Pasig Royal Mansion in Santolan, Pasig City.
They were joined by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and National Capital Region Police Office Chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. /jpv