Manila holds multi-disaster drill

MANILA, Philippines - A multi-disaster drill aimed at preparing the country’s capital for the possibility of being hit by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake and tsunami was held in Manila yesterday.

The city government hosted the synchronized earthquake drill along Roxas Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mayor Joseph Estrada said.

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit the western part of the country including Metro Manila last week.

Commercial establishments, schools and hospitals participated in the scenario drill, which served as an information campaign after a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency showed that Metro Manila is ripe for a powerful quake.

“We want to see how prepared the city is for an earthquake,” said Johnny Yu, head of Manila’s anti-disaster unit.

The city pretended that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Manila for about 12 seconds, prompting occupants of the buildings to immediately evacuate to safer ground.

It was followed by two fire incidents and a road accident involving a passenger bus and a chemical tanker.

Firefighters from different stations responded to put out the fire.

Rescuers were also deployed to different buildings to search for those who were trapped.

A team from the Red Cross helped crash victims and brought them to triage area for treatment.

Responders demonstrated how they would deal with collapsed buildings, traffic accidents and fire incidents.

The drill caused heavy traffic due to the closure of T.M. Kalaw and Quirino Avenue.

Estrada said such exercises are necessary to educate the public.

“We cannot just stand and do a body count when another Yolanda strikes our shores,” he said.

The mayor said the city government will acquire P200 million worth of equipment to boost its disaster preparedness.

 Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said earthquakes and tsunamis cannot be predicted.

“We must be prepared all the time,” he said.

Solidum said a movement in the West Valley Fault could trigger a 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council led by executive director Alexander Pama also took part in the synchronized earthquake drill.

In Caloocan, members of the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office and the public information office held an earthquake drill at the M.B. Macario Asistio High School yesterday.

 A 10-second siren signaled the opening of the drill, which was attended by teachers and students. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Alexis Romero, Rey Galupo