The Department of Health on Tuesday identified key hospitals across Metro Manila that will lead emergency response efforts in the event of a powerful earthquake, known as the “Big One.”
During a press conference, the agency outlined contingency and emergency response plans for a large-scale seismic event.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology earlier warned that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake along the West Valley Fault could kill more than 33,000 people and collapse about 168,000 buildings in Metro Manila alone.
Citing the National Harmonized Contingency Plan, the DOH said casualties across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon could exceed 52,000, with around 679,000 injuries and more than 5.3 million residents displaced.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said hospitals within four geographic quadrants of Metro Manila have been designated as primary response facilities during a disaster. The designations were based on each hospital’s location and population coverage rather than being built specifically for earthquake response.
In the northern quadrant—which includes Caloocan, Quezon City, Valenzuela, San Juan, and Mandaluyong—the Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, and Philippine Heart Center were named as lead facilities. Supporting hospitals include the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium.
For the eastern quadrant, covering Marikina, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and parts of Quezon City, the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center were designated as lead hospitals.
In the western quadrant, covering Manila, Malabon, and Navotas, the Tondo Medical Center will serve as the lead facility, supported by Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and the National Center for Mental Health.
For the southern quadrant, which includes Las Piñas, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Pateros, and Pasay, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center will take charge.
To handle a potential influx of patients, DOH hospitals will adopt a 10% surge capacity by adding beds, monitors, and personnel.
“We have to be the last facility standing,” Herbosa said.
He added that the agency is coordinating with private and local government hospitals in Metro Manila to strengthen joint emergency operations and ensure uninterrupted medical services. All DOH-run hospitals, he assured, must remain operational during major calamities in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.
