Red Cross wants quake drills in all Metro schools

With several schools identified as among those located at the so-called 100-kilometer danger zone in Metro Manila, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Monday said it would resume holding earthquake drills to prepare students for a major temblor that could hit the capital.

According to PRC chairperson Richard Gordon, he has instructed all Red Cross chapter administrators in the National Capital Region to coordinate with public and private school officials to set a schedule for the drills.

Employees of public and private workplaces and other buildings in areas along the West Valley Fault will also be asked to participate in similar exercises, he added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned that the active fault line could move any time, possibly generating a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that may devastate the heavily populated metropolis.

“We don’t know when the Big One will strike so we have to be prepared,” said Gordon. “People should know what to do when an earthquake hits and where to seek refuge,” he added, stressing that earthquake drills could help save lives.

Gordon said the PRC was considering starting the exercises when classes resume on June 1.

The Phivolcs has identified at least six schools situated within the danger zone: Barangka Elementary School in Marikina City, Tibagan Elementary School in Makati City, Anne Claire Montessori in Taguig City, and E. Pedro Diaz High School and Alabang Elementary School, which are both in Muntinlupa City.

Experts have warned that should a strong quake hit Metro Manila, an estimated 20 percent of structures will collapse. At least 37,000 people will die while 140,000 others will be seriously injured. The capital and five Rizal provinces will also suffer economic losses of P2.5 trillion.

Earlier, Phivolcs released a detailed map of the 100-km West Valley Fault that traverses Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite.