Olivarez encourages Paranaque constituents to participate in metro-wide earthquake drill

PARAÑAQUE City Mayor Edwin Olivarez has urged the participation of all the city residents in the metro-wide earthquake drill on Thursday (July 30), organized by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in a bid to make citizens, communities and appropriate response agencies earthquake-ready.

In a statement, Olivarez said the simulation is important in as much as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has been repeatedly warning of an impending earthquake of great magnitude it calls “the big one” that may hit the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault System anytime.

“We have reasons to believe that the Phivolcs people led by Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. have made thorough studies and evaluations based on their available data before coming out with this dire prognosis” he said.

“This drill is therefore very important because it would prepare all of us for any eventuality, as they say it is better to be safe than sorry” Mayor Olivarez continued.

“In this regard, may I request all sectors including public and private offices and institutions to prepare for and participate actively in this earthquake drill” the mayor added.

As part of the drill which would start at around 10: 30 am motorists and commuters are requested to listen to the radio and wait for the playing of the recording of an earthquake sound that would signal the start of the simulation.

Sirens and bells would also ring simultaneously throughout the metropolis and everybody is requested to make conscious efforts to stay away from materials which might fall or collapse in case of an earthquake for at least 45 seconds during the drill.

To make the drill realistic, participants are requested to deliberately stay away from power lines, transformers, billboards, big trees, cranes and other dangerous equipment and areas for at least 45 seconds.

In participating malls and commercial establishments, everybody should perform what MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino called as drop, cover and hold position.

Participants should wait until the ringing of bells had stopped to signal that the quake is over before proceeding to move to a safer area based on the establishment’s evacuation plan.

In schools and barangays or communities, there should be a roll call before and after the drill to signify the accounting process in case of a real quake.

“Walang kapalit ang pagiging handa sa anumang sitwasyon at ang mga aktibidad na ganito ay malaki ang maitutulong para maraming buhay ang mailigtas sa panahon ng mga ganitong sakuna” Mayor Olivarez stressed.