Only 5 out of 10 Filipinos ready for ‘Big One’ – poll

Employees of the National Economic Development Authority participate in the Metro-wide quake drill. BEN DE VERA/INQUIRER PHOTO

NEARLY five out of 10 Filipinos, or about 49.8 percent, said that they are ready if ever the massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

In a poll by INQUIRER.net, respondents answered the question “Are you ready for a 7.2 magnitude earthquake?”

While 49.8 percent of respondents said they are ready to face the earthquake, 37.76 percent of respondents or four out of 10 Filipinos, said that they are not ready.

Meanwhile, 9.12 percent of respondents believe that the quake will not happen and 3.32 percent said that they do not care.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that about 1.2 million Filipinos expressed their willingness to join the agency’s rescue unit.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), a 7.2-magnitude earthquake from the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault will result in the death of 34,000 people.

The last time that a major earthquake resulted from the said fault was in 1658 or 357 years ago.

The West Valley Fault traverses 18 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal. AJH

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