Shake drill ‘more systematic’ this year– East Quadrant head

Metro Manila Shake Drill volunteers performed the “duck, cover, hold” technique shortly after the drills commenced at 9 a.m. outside the LRT2 train depot in Santolan, Pasig. CHRISTIAN VENUS/Inquirer Volunteers

This year’s Metro Manila Shake Drill was more organized and systematic than last year, the MMDA East Quadrant Commander said Wednesday.

“We have assigned tasks for each responder making things more systematic, even if some of the people are lost, even the head, whoever is there can follow the Incident Command System and we won’t be helpless,” East Quadrant Commander Col. Gerry Ilagan told reporters in an interview in the LRT line 2 train depot.

“Last year, this was not clearly implemented, which led to some people coming here asking for relief goods. But this was not meant to be an evacuation center, so if ten thousand hungry or sick people come here, it will cause extra pressure to our people,” he added.

READ: Metro Manila, nearby provinces brace for ‘big one’ with shake drill

The East Quadrant served as the coordinating point between the cities of Marikina and Pasig to the rest of Metro Manila.

Maps were laid out in the command center tent to quickly pinpoint incidents around the cities of Pasig and Marikina.CHRISTIAN VENUS/Inquirer Volunteers

Various scenarios were simulated around the vicinity such as busted water pipes, collapsed structures, vehicle collisions and looting. Delivery of relief goods via the Pasig River ferry was also simulated.

At exactly 9 a.m., all services at LRT line 2 Santolan station were suspended as the earthquake drill commenced. Station personnel ceased ticket sales and asked passengers to stay put until the drill ends.

Rich Gonzalo, who takes the LRT going to work daily, said, “I think it is good that we are taught these drills about what we should do when there is an earthquake.”

Outside the station, volunteers and employees of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) performed the “duck, cover, hold” technique as they exited their offices.

Volunteers from various government offices and non-government organizations gathered at the train depot to assist in relief and rescue operations. Tents for medical triage, relief, and operations and planning were put up.

Medical response was also simulated during the drill. Volunteers acting as injured people were treated by paramedics in the triage tent as they wait for the ambulance to arrive. CHRISTIAN VENUS/Inquirer Volunteers

About 95 organizations ranging from fire, rescue, and private volunteers joined the 2nd Metro Manila Shake Drill for the East Quadrant.

“We recognize the possibility of confusion [of evacuating people like what happened last year]. But this year, they were able to adjust. We also got advice from Marikina City that their evacuation site will be the main destination of their constituents. The barangays (villages) will take the lead in their respective localities,” Ilagan said. CDG

READ: MMDA hoping to surpass 6.5M joiners in 2016 Shake Drill

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