Bulacan, Laguna shake drill set

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will conduct earthquake preparedness drills in Bulacan and Laguna on Sept. 8.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday said the earthquake drills will be held simultaneously in Norzagaray and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and San Pedro, Biñan, Calamba and Cabuyao in Laguna.  

A map released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and  Seismology showed that the West Valley Fault also transects portions of  Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray and  San Jose del Monte in Bulacan; San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna; Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang in Cavite and Rodriguez in Rizal. 

Tolentino said regular earthquake drills would instill a culture of preparedness.

“While natural disasters cannot be prevented, mitigating measures can be put in place to reduce casualties and injuries as well as the impact on the economy,” he said. 

Up to 6.5 million people participated in the Metro Manila Shake Drill last July 30.