MMDA prepares 2nd Metro Manila shake drill

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now preparing for the holding of the second Metro Manila “shake drill” or earthquake scenario simulation drill on June 22.

According to the MMDA, the second “shake drill” will be simulating the aftermath of a 7.2 magnitude tremor.

One of the scenarios to be simulated in the drill that starts at 9 a.m. will be a simulation of a collapsed Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City.

MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos said traffic on the outermost northbound lane of EDSA would be in a standstill for approximately an hour during the drill.

“So this early, we are appealing to motorists and the riding public to please bear with us. This drill is meant to save lives in the event of the ‘Big One’,” said Carlos.

Carlos added that the Metro shake drill will take place simultaneously with the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED). The second Metro earthquake drill will test the effectiveness of the Oplan Metro Yakal Plus - the government’s disaster contingency plan, Carlos added.

“With the success of the first Metro Manila Shake Drill last year, we would like to challenge ourselves to do better and be better prepared in the event of a catastrophic earthquake,” the MMDA chief said.

The drill would also be an opportunity for different government agencies and private rescue groups to fine-tune the protocols in the disaster response plan.

According to Carlos, the MMDA will be permanently placing 20-foot container vans in the four quadrants in Metro Manila where command and control centers will be set up to facilitate the deployment of resources and rescue personnel.  

The quadrants are located at the LRT-2 train depot in Santolan, Pasig City; at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City; the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City; and at the Intramuros Golf Club in Manila.

The vans contain medicines, rescue equipment, tents and other materials needed for rescue and emergency response.

Carlos clarified that the quadrants are staging points or command centers for rescue operations and are not evacuation sites.

“Last year, we were overwhelmed because many flocked to the command centers, thinking these are evacuation centers,” he said.