“Be prepared always.”
That was the order of President Benigno Aquino III to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino for a possible strong earthquake that may hit Metro Manila.
Tolentino, in an interview with INQUIRER.net on Wednesday, said the agency has been doing daily preparations to “raise the level of awareness” of the public on a possibly destructive earthquake.
He said the MMDA has gotten the approval of Metro Manila mayors to conduct a metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30.
“We already have the approval of Metro Manila Mayors for a metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30 at 10:30 a.m.,” he said.
He said this would be the first time in Metro Manila and the Philippines that such a large scale of earthquake drill would be undertaken.
The drill, he said, aims to reduce casualties once a strong earthquake hits the metropolis.
READ: Do you live in quake zone? New Phivolcs maps trace 100-km West Valley Fault
“Our purpose in doing this is to mitigate the consequences of a strong earthquake, to save lives, and to prepare our people,” he said, adding that the public should take the drill seriously.
MMDA launches quake website
To prepare the 12 million residents of Metro Manila for a strong earthquake, the MMDA has launched a website that contains information about earthquake preparedness including maps of the West and East valley faults.
Tolentino said that Metro Manila has 12 million residents and 14 million during daytime due to people from nearby provinces who come to the metropolis to work.
He said the website bepreparedmetromanila.com gives information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
READ: MMDA launches website to ready Metro residents for the ‘Big One’
A family earthquake plan is also available on the website, he said.
He said the public may also access the “Oplan Yakal” of the MMDA, which contains the drafted quake response plan of the agency.
Local Government cooperation
Tolentino said local governments in Metro Manila have been “very cooperative” on the efforts of the government and the MMDA to prepare for a strong earthquake.
On Tuesday, Tolentino had a meeting with Metro Manila Mayors to discuss preparations and concerns for the “Big One.”
A Rescue Olympics was also held on Tuesday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila which drew participation from rescue teams from different local governments.
Tolentino said the MMDA has upgraded its facilities to be able to respond better once a strong quake shuts down the Metro.
“We have more equipment now. In terms of proficiency, it is higher,” he said.
Walk the Fault
Tolentino said the MMDA will conduct a “Walk the Fault” next week along the areas affected by the West and East Valley faults.
He said the MMDA and other concerned agencies would continue to do this until communities affected by the fault line would be fully informed.
“We want the public to take this seriously,” he said.
He said the MMDA is also in need of 8,000 quake responders who would undergo a three-day training. IDL