Metro all set for ‘shake’ drill

MANILA, Philippines - Some one million people have signed up for the volunteer corps that will be in the frontline of rescue efforts in case a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported yesterday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said members of the rescue corps from various parts of the metropolis would be seeing action during today’s one-hour earthquake drill that starts at 10:30 a.m.

Apart from the thousands of organizations that have signified intent to participate, public and private schools, universities, hospitals, religious sectors, business process outsourcing firms, business groups, shopping malls and transport groups have also committed to join the drill, Tolentino said.

Tolentino said he expects today’s earthquake drill will be staged without any hitches.

He added that those who have volunteered for the rescue corps have received sufficient training on rescue operations.

According to Tolentino, the heavy turnout of volunteer rescue workers clearly indicates that the government has successfully instilled in the public the culture of disaster preparedness.

“There is now a new shift of attitude or reorientation of values of our people towards civic or social responsibility. Although the July 30 drill is far from perfect, we are overwhelmed by the fact that different sectors of society have united to drum up support for the project, and as such, I am confident that the event is going to be epic,” he said.

Tolentino expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation of the public and private sectors in the staging of the earthquake drill.

“It is through their efforts that the seed was planted and we hope to be able to complete what we have started with success,” he said.

Malacañang said a memorandum circular was issued directing all government agencies and local government units to participate in the earthquake drill.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. issued the circular by authority of President Aquino.

Under Memorandum Circular 79, or the conduct of a synchronized metro-wide earthquake drill, these agencies have been directed to submit a report on the drill’s implementation and evaluation and “perform functions consistent with the implementation of this circular.”

The private sector, like volunteers and civic organizations, has likewise been encouraged to participate by assisting in the drill’s implementation, or as the “exigencies and circumstances may require.”

All government agencies have also been told to participate in the earthquake drill.

Students set for drill

The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed all schools in Metro Manila to take part in the region-wide earthquake today.

In a memorandum to DepEd National Capital Region (NCR) regional director Luz Almeda, Undersecretary Reynaldo Laguda directed all public elementary and high schools to take part in the drill.

“All schools and DepEd offices shall coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management councils for the preparations related to this activity,” read the memorandum.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also issued a memorandum urging all higher education institutions to participate in the quake drill.

“(It) aims to provide all stakeholders with a real-world training scenario in preparation for possible earthquake in Metro Manila,” read the memorandum signed by CHED-NCR director Leonida Calagui.

“All higher education institutions in NCR are hereby enjoined to participate in the activity by conducting an earthquake drill in their respective campuses,” it added.

Earlier, Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued a department order instructing all schools to conduct activities to prepare students for possible disasters.

The activities include the family earthquake preparedness homework and the conduct of classroom discussions on the family earthquake preparedness assignments.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas yesterday encouraged the faithful to take part in the Metro Manila earthquake drill.

“Every Catholic should be a good citizen. It is part of good citizenship to be involved in matters like this that will benefit the general welfare… That is part of good citizenship, that is part of good religion,” the archbishop said.

Meanwhile, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) advocacy and information management officer Anthony Coloma said that last July 2 they were among those who took part in a forum, in partnership with DepEd and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), on earthquake preparedness and emergency response.

He said almost 200 representatives from different schools located in Metro Manila and as far as Baguio went to the DepED complex to attend the forum. – With Delon Porcalla, Janvic Mateo, Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva, Louella Desiderio