MMDA sets 4-day shake drill to test quake response

The third Metro-wide shake drill will run for four days this year to test the response of various sectors in the event of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Danilo Lim has started meeting with local disaster management officials in preparation for the Metro Manila shake drill set from July 14 to 17.

“We will give all sectors the chance to participate in the shake drill not only on the level of the government, but also the private sector. They will be able to implement their emergency plans and see how these can be improved,” Ramon Santiago, who oversees the MMDA disaster preparedness and response capacity, said on Sunday.

The alarm will sound off at 4 p.m. on July 14 to signal the start of the drill. There will be two components: government and individual response that will culminate on July 16 followed by the business continuity and early recovery plan of the private sector on July 15 to 17.

“Unlike previous drills where there is prepositioning, this time the plan will be carried out wherever the responders are. We will test how the different quadrants will establish the command, control and communications from zero hour,” he added.

Local governments have also been tasked to design scenarios for disaster response. At the barangay level, officials can hold evacuation drills and feeding and assess emergency plans.

The first component will end on July 17, which will also include accounting of aid from other regions, NGOs and the international community.