Smart emergency communications boost MMDA quake drill
While the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that the exact date of its latest earthquake drill will not be publicized in advance, it is no surprise that Smart Communications has again provided support to the agency’s annual disaster preparedness and response activity.
Just like in previous years, the PLDT wireless unit deployed emergency communications support for the MMDA Shake Drill, which simulated the “Big One,” or a magnitude 7.2 earthquake situation in the event of a movement from the West Valley Fault.
“We are doing this to prepare everyone to minimize damage that earthquake may cause. When the Big One happens, we must be prepared,” MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said in a statement released by the agency.
“Our participation in the drill is part of our commitment to use technology to enhance disaster preparedness and response,” said PLDT and Smart public affairs head Ramon Isberto. “Our various communication tools, including the cellular and data services themselves, are part of our #SafePH advocacy, which aims to help build more resilient communities and reduce disaster risk,” he said.
Smart positioned multiequipment on wheels (MEOW) portable cell sites, satellite communications services, and libreng tawag (free calls) stations; and provided Wi-Fi support for incident commanders at the MMDA quadrants. The MMDA has divided Metro Manila into quadrants to better manage response and rescue operations when the Big One strikes.
The quadrants, with their respective evacuation areas, are as follows: the northern quadrant (Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, San Juan), Veterans Memorial Medical Center Golf Course and Quezon Memorial Circle; eastern quadrant, (Marikina and Pasig), LRT 2 Santolan depot; western quadrant (Navotas, Malabon, Manila), Intramuros Golf Course; and southern quadrant (Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Pateros, and Taguig), Villamor Golf Course.
The #MMShakeDrill began with Smart issuing alerts using the Emergency Cell Broadcast System. Accompanied by a loud siren sound, ECBS sends urgent messages, such as evacuation notices and earthquake and tsunami warnings, to activated mobile devices within the affected area.
Cell broadcast is effective in disseminating quick hazard alerts because it operates on a radio channel separate from that used by voice calls and text messages or SMS (short messaging service), which may get congested in times of calamities.
In 2016, Smart invested over P500 million on ECBS to fully comply with Republic Act No. 10639, or the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act. The act mandates telecommunications service providers to send free mobile alerts in the event of natural and manmade disasters and calamities.
At the start of the program, the participants converged at an open area and were urged to assume the “duck, cover, and hold” position. Residents, workers, students, and government personnel joined the activities, which included evacuation drills, while responders were on standby for mock rescue operations.