Are we really ready for the ‘Big One?’

Even today, the winds are still blowing hard in Metro Manila every morning. This is a reminder not to be complacent during this typhoon season. Just today, 30 July, a tsunami alert has been issued per Phivolcs Tsunami Info No. 2. This means all Port Management Offices (PMOs) on the eastern seaboard of the country have been directed to suspend passenger and cargo activities. Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago has issued a memorandum directing all the ports to implement precautionary measures.

While the ports may be prepared and the local government units have suspended classes and offices near the danger zones, we must be ready for what may follow. Yes, the rains have stopped, the sun is shining again — for most of the working population, this means it’s back to normal after days of suspended work and classes and city-wide flooding from tropical depressions “Crising,” “Dante” and “Emong,” but the message of urgent warning has been delivered. We must act NOW.

Imagine if flooding alone can paralyze Metro Manila and several provinces, what more if the ground begins to shake? I mean I am talking about the “Big One,” the always trending massive earthquake that has been projected to hit Metro Manila and nearby areas with a catastrophic force.

Are we ready?

Well, your guess is as good as mine. But frankly speaking, the recent storms were tests of the country’s readiness, preparedness for disasters, rescue and relief operations, and even the aftermath of rebuilding what was destroyed. As we speak, some provinces are still submerged in floodwaters, not to mention power outages, damaged homes and displaced families.

As for me, I have bought boots and raincoats because you can never tell when the rainfall would be so heavy your feet would be submerged in floodwaters, not to mention the danger of water-borne diseases (leptospirosis is waving). Seriously, nobody wants to be swimming in the dirty water of streets that were supposed to have drains and working flood control systems.

Amid the chaos, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has shown what forward-looking preparedness should look like. Under the directive of GM Santiago, all PMOs were placed on high alert and are following safety protocols, securing port facilities and cargo to ensure the flow of essential goods.

In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, relief goods and emergency supplies — power generators, food packs, and communication equipment — have been prepositioned and deployed where needed.

Passengers have been urged to check trip advisories to avoid congestion at terminals. Round-the-clock monitoring of port operations was set in place to keep the ports functioning. Mind you, there have been fewer stranded passengers compared to before due to the early warning messages from the shipping lines.

Now going back to the issue of earthquakes, we better be prepared because there will be no advance warning. It will be massive and devastating for us around the Pacific Ring of Fire.

According to experts, a magnitude-7.2 earthquake in the West Valley Fault could affect over 30,000 people, damage critical infrastructure, paralyze roads, airports, and seaports. The damage from floods will pale in comparison. It will be sudden, quick, and leave many of us stunned.

So now that the floodwaters have receded and the skies have cleared, let this be our calm before the real storm. Let’s look at what worked and what didn’t during the past few days. Were families prepared with emergency kits? Did your office building follow disaster protocols? Were local governments equipped and responsive? Were critical facilities, like ports and transport terminals, ready to function under duress?

This is not to sound pessimistic, but to awaken all of us, for we are all in the same boat, surrounded by water. There is no better time to prepare than now — from disaster mitigation to rescue and recovery, to keeping the supply lines open to evacuation centers, to Plans B, C, D, E, and to rebuilding.

The warnings have been sounded. Are we really ready? Well, we better be!