Be prepared for an earthquake
WE
better be ready for the Big One, the earthquake that is overdue in Metro Manila. This is not to sow panic but to foster preparedness. Over the years, earthquake drills have been managed but there is still a dearth of public information that is probably the fault of the oblivious public not paying attention to public announcements. At the risk of repetition, we should have the basics broadcast out there again and again. And more and more drills. What to do when the ground starts shaking, where and how to duck and cover your head. There is a mandatory earthquake kit that everyone must have in one’s reach containing water, biscuits, an icepick, a whistle, your mobile phone fully charged. This is all I remember of what should go into an earthquake kit. One can always make additions in accordance with individual necessity.
Furthermore, evacuation areas must be announced per area of Metro Manila. If I remember correctly, for Mandaluyong it would be the Wack Wack Golf Course. Now, is this golf course ready for evacuees? Shouldn’t there be a pre-positioned warehouse with water, food, blankets, medical supplies somewhere there? If the earthquake takes place, expect chaos - cessities after the event. They should be stored before in the evacuation areas designated. Also, there should be more than one evacuation area as no matter how big the Wack Wack golf course is, it depends on how near it is to the victims in need of evacuation. There should be mini sites that are adequate and near enough in other neighborhoods. Unlike typhoons and can house evacuees who will not have - tions that an earthquake brings about, the best solution for earthquake evacuees should probably be tents in the open until the aftershocks end. And let us not forget the sanitation facilities aside from food, water, shelter and medical services.
Hospitals should also be prepared for injuries and prevention of diseases that spring up in the wake of disrupted basic services like water and power. These diseases like cholera, pneumonia and other post-disaster illnesses can spread quite quickly. So, there should be protocols.
Presumably the Red Cross has the supplies and the personnel to go into action. Are they well spread out to every area of Metro Manila?
What about our law enforcement agencies, are they fully briefed and trained for what an earthquake can bring about? From previous disaster events, we have seen that their personnel are similarly affected just like every ordinary person. So, perhaps there should be duty do the job until relieved by the next batch regularly. Then they can go take care of their personal affairs. The chaos that an earthquake brings can turn people into panicky mobs that will take the law into their own hands regarding sourcing food and shelter. Then crimes will happen. Are police and military trained on what to expect, how to react?
There is a bill in Congress creat - ness and resiliency. This will be a calamities by coordination and direct authority over what should be done. This is a welcome move to designate an overall leader. It should have been done yesterday and even if it was, there is a lot to be planned and prepared, organized and trained. All information about it should be made public repeatedly.
Indonesia has suffered major earthquakes in the last few months. It is the archipelago south of us. Japan and Taiwan have had their share of the same lately. Davao, Bohol, Cebu have already been affected the last few months and years. Perhaps we should show solidarity and sympathy with our Indonesian brothers by sending a medical team to help their overburdened medical personnel and hospitals. The experience will teach us about what conditions can arise and how to cope with them. Our countries are both tropical and underdeveloped and prone to natural calamities.
We cannot think that Metro Manila will be exempt from a calamitous earthquake. We are in the already demonstrated that earthquakes in this part of the world will occur. International agencies are aware of the possibility. We should be too and undertake the necessary information drives, drills, emergency measures, designated authority. Knowing what to expect and how to react will go a long way in keeping law and order, relief and rehabilitation in the time of earthquakes.