Makati, Taguig get quake-ready

MANILA, Philippines—The Makati City government has ordered an inspection of all public buildings and infrastructure in the area to determine their structural soundness following the devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan.

At the same time, Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay issued a directive to all of the city’s building and school administrators to immediately conduct an information drive and earthquake drills to reduce Makati’s overall vulnerability should a strong quake occur.

“There is an urgent need for all sectors in Makati to step up disaster mitigation efforts and intensify public awareness on how to properly act to ascertain their safety in case of a similar emergency,” Binay said in a statement.

In a letter to David Balangue, president and chair of the Makati Commercial Estate Association, Binay requested all building administrators in the central business district to prioritize an information drive to heighten the awareness of tenants of evacuation plans and how these should be implemented through earthquake drills.

At present, there are 2,466 buildings located in the city.

Binay also asked education officials to require all public and private schools in the city to do the same for schoolchildren and other school personnel.

In Taguig, the city government has allocated P105 million from last year’s budget for disaster reduction management for the purchase of tools and equipment and the hiring of personnel for a rescue unit.

In an ordinance passed recently, the city council tasked Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano to “design and implement” an initial calamity response program that would take effect until the formation of a disaster risk reduction management office as mandated by law.
Cayetano’s spokesperson Darwin Icay commended the city council for drafting the ordinance which was signed by members on March 3, just over a week before the Japan quake.

Among the items up for procurement are specialized ladders for high-rise buildings in the city, as well as fire trucks and portable water pumps, rescue boats and equipment for water rescue and mobile clinics and ambulances, he said.

Icay added that members of the city rescue team were in the middle of a rigorous training.