Earthquake drill today to test disaster preparedness
Do not panic, the public was told yesterday as the biggest earthquake drill in the country unfolds today to test the disaster preparedness measures of local government units and the government’s intensified information and education campaign (IEC).
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) made this statement a day before the public and private sector give way to the drill which the Philippine Institute for Volcanoloy and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) wants to be as real as possible.
“The earthquake drill prevents panic and lessens fear. It is difficult to deal with the unknown,” DOST Secretary Mario Go Montejo said yesterday. He called on every one to participate in the drill, saying that knowing something relieves one’s fears.
Once you know what to do and what not to do in case of an earthquake,
one feels more at ease and prepared to face the danger, Montejo said. Earthquake monitoring stations
Solidum said the role of the local government units (LGUs) is to make residents aware of the need to be prepared for an earthquake.
“People are panicky, or feel afraid if they don’t know anything. That is why I always say being aware would also mean being prepared. That is why it is important for information and education campaign to be continued and must be sustained at the local level,” he stressed.
He disclosed that the Phivolcs is also getting prepared by enhancing its earthquake monitoring and information dissemination. Solidum said the agency currently operates 76 earthquake monitoring stations, including six volcano observatories. The agency targets an 85-station network by 2016. In addition, 87 earthquake intensity meters are currently operational nationwide.
Expected damage A big earthquake, he said, will affect lifelines through power interruption; telecommunication interruption; water interruption; damage or collapse of bridges, and damage on roads.
One million volunteers A million individuals have signed up to the part of volunteers’ core that will help in the rescue work of the MMDA in case of an earthquake and other disasters, a day before what is being billed as the “largest earthquake drill in the country’s history.”
From a handful of applicants who initially applied as volunteer rescue workers when the agency first launched its “Be Prepared Website” several weeks ago, Tolentino said a total of one million people, with their complete profile in tow, have all signified to join the metrowide shake drill today and be part of the Metro Manila Rescue Volunteer Corps.
Tolentino said the public’s overwhelming response “clearly indicates that the government has successfully instilled in the minds of the public the consciousness and culture of disaster preparedness and has little by little erased the state of panic in the event
of a strong earthquake.”
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. today
Millions of residents of the National Capital Region are expected to stop their routines today from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to cooperate in the shake drill that aims to test the people’s level of preparedness in case a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the metro triggered by a movement of the West Valley Fault.
All people from all sectors simultaneously for the first time will be asked to “drop cover and hold for 45 seconds” and participate with the drill to be highlighted with various scenarios.
A 30-second recording will broadcast over radio stations and Public Announcement Systems signaling the start of the drill. In the recording, Tolentino, MMDA chairman, and Solidum, Philvocs director, will announce the scenario wherein the West Valley Fault has moved and earthquake sound effects will be played.
On the day of the drill, the Metro Manila local government units are also set to test an emergency response system patterned after the United States’ 911.
Public urged to participate The drill is supported by Memorandum Circular No. 79 issued by Malacanang, calling for a synchronized earthquake drill in Metro Manila to raise public preparedness in case of a powerful tremor.
“The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology represents that the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault Line, which traverse cities and towns in Metro Manila, is considered to be ripe for movement, and that the said cities and towns may experience earthquakes with magnitude up to 7.2 which may cause significant damages and fatalities,” the circular read.
All heads of government agencies, including government owned and controlled corporations and local government units, have been enjoined to allow their employees to participate in the metro-wide earthquake drill.
Bishops’ support
Participation in the earthquake drill also has the support of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) who urged the faithful to be good citizens and actively participate in today’s Metro Manila-wide earthquake drill
“Every Catholic should be a good citizen. It’s part of good citizenship to be involved in matters like this that will benefit the general welfare,” CBCP president Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in an interview.
Pure Force & Rescue Corp.
Days before, Tolentino distributed gadgets, including two computers with four monitors and three tablets from Pure Force and Rescue Corporation, to each Metro LGU, which they can be used during the drill and even in emergency situations. Pure Force is a private company providing emergency response and rescue solutions.
“The tablets are given to the LGUs for free. People who can access the system through the gadgets are mayors and local disaster risk reduction and management council members,” said Tolentino.
Jomerito Soliman, Pure Force president and chief executive officer, said the gadgets come along with software with a mobile personal emergency response app for smart phones where subscribers can reach for help in emergency situations. (With reports from Genalyn Kabiling and Leslie Aquino)