THE Metro Manila Development Authority is set to conduct a metro-wide earthquake drill this July to inform the people about survival methods and “do’s and dont’s” before, during and after a disaster.
The MMDA came up with the decision to resume the drill following the magnitude-6.7 and 4.1 quake that hit Surigao del Norte and Davao del Sur, respectively, this month.
MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos said his agency is now mapping out plans for the conduct of the earthquake drill in close coordination with Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
“We will have the metro-wide shake drill July but I will call for a meeting of the Metro Manila DRRMC this March to check preparations,” Orbos said in a text message.
The MMDA had called on Congress to pass a law making earthquake preparedness a regular exercise, not only for the National Capital Region, but for the entire country to prepare the people in the event a “big one” hit Metro Manila.
Surigao del Norte officials earlier declared a state of calamity after a magnitude-6.7 earthquake hit the province early this month, severely damaging buildings, roads, and the normal day-to-day lives of thousands of residents.
Six persons died and at least 100 others were injured.
Days later, a magnitude-4.1 quake struck Davao del Sur. The quake was felt in Davao City, Malita in Davao Occidental, and in Kidapawan City.
When earthquake strikes, the MMDA advised the people to duck or drop to the floor before the shaking knocks them down.
Agency officials said people must cover their heads and necks using their arms and get under desks and other shelters that are sturdy. They advised the people to either hold on to their shelter or continue covering their heads and necks until the shaking stops.
Last year’s shake drill conducted by the MMDA had exceeded the 2015’s number of participants with 6.5 million people.
The agency attributed the success to the participation of local governments in Regions 3 and 4, and the private sectors.
The MMDA noted that a number of scenarios made during shake drills were based on a simulated 7.2-magnitude tremor with Intensity 8 happened in Metro Manila.