HIGHLIGHTS: #QuakePH drill in Manila City

MANILA, Philippines – On Wednesday, July 2, Manila City conducted an earthquake drill to test the response of local and national government agencies to the worst possible disaster scenario as determined by the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS).

The exercise was part of a government-mandated nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada launched the drill. He was joined by representatives from government agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Representatives from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) served as the evaluators of the drill that took place along Roxas Boulevard, from TM Kalaw to Quirino Avenue.

Disaster scenario

The first scenario involved a simulated 7.2-magnitude earthquake caused by a movement in the West Valley Fault. According to a study, about 40% of the residential buildings in Metro Manila will be heavily or partially damaged by the tremor.

A resulting fire under 3rd alarm and a biohazard accident involving a bus and a truck carrying chemicals were also simulated. 

Estrada and city disaster management chief Johnny Yu led the symbolic sounding of the alarm at 9:30am.

Earthquake

• Meanwhile, wiithin 3 minutes, people who participated in the drill evacuated buildings.
• At least 1 responder was deployed to very participating private establishments during the
• Responders at the scene were seen guiding people out of the building, instructing them to duck, cover, and hold.
• The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) set up stretchers for injured victims.

Fire

• Fire trucks arrived at the fire scene 10 minutes after the alarm.
• Emergency medical personnel were on standby. 
• The command center monitored and assessed the situation.
• After 30 minutes, the command unit announced that the fire was put out.

Biohazard accident

• Responders arrived at the accident scene 10 minutes after it was reported. Many passengers were injured while others were fatally wounded.
• It took them about 15 minutes to enter the bus.
• Rescue personnel put on their biohazard suits.
• Rescue personnel provided victims with masks.
• Victims were decontaminated before they were given medical attention.
• Special medical care was given to those in serious condition.

“We are prepared but it is not enough. We need the cooperation of communities, responders and other LGUs,” Yu said after the morning exercise.

Tsunami scenario

In the afternoon at 1:30pm, the city will also run another scenario which involves responding to a tsunami caused by the movement of the Manila trench.

Follow MovePH’s live blog of the drill on the microsite of Project Agos, a platform for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. (LIVE BLOG: Metro Manila prepares for #QuakePH).

You can also send us photos and video if you are participating or observing the exercise. Email move.ph@rappler.com or tweet us @moveph. – With reports by Raisa Serafica and David Lozada/Rappler.com