Ferries may be used to transport injured after earthquake

MANILA, Philippines - In the event that a powerful quake hits Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is considering the use of ferries to transport the injured in hospitals near the Pasig River. 

Hospitals near the river are Lourdes Hospital and Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila and Victor Potenciano Hospital (formerly known as Polymedic Hospital) in Mandaluyong City.

“We just hope that the roads leading to these hospitals from the river will be clear of debris when the quake happens,” said MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino. He said 3,000 personnel from the MMDA have already undergone a two-day training on earthquake response and rescue.

In addition to its earthquake response preparations, the agency has converted its anti-flood response equipment for earthquake rescue. The equipment has been positioned in four designated earthquake evacuation centers in Metro Manila.

Citing a study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tolentino said a strong quake in Metro Manila could generate 33 million tons of debris.

He said the agency will head clearing and rescue operations in a quake-affected areas but is coordinating with the Office of the Civil Defense and local government units on the implementation of its earthquake response plan dubbed as “Oplan Metro Yakal.”

The MMDA has identified four golf courses in the metropolis as evacuation areas. These are the Veterans Golf Club in the north, Villamor Airbase in the south, Wack-Wack Golf Club in the east, and the Intramuros Golf Club in the west. It has also set up 22 container vans containing rescue equipment in several barangays in Manila, Pasig, Quezon City and Marikina classified as high-risk areas during earthquakes.