Metro shake drill to be spontaneous

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday called on the public to participate in next week’s shake drill to enhance earthquake preparedness “that is not staged or scripted.”

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia, said the fourth shake drill will be different as, unlike in the past shake drills, there will be no advance announcement on when exactly it will happen.

“We are urging everyone to participate in the drill, wherever you are, no matter what you are doing. We want to make actions more spontaneous as possible,” Garcia explained said.

In the activity, telecommunication companies will send text messages to their subscribers five minutes before the actual drill to alert them.

“The trigger simulating the occurrence of a strong earthquake will be the cell broadcast of telcos and audible signals from sirens of emergency vehicles, building public address systems, church bells and others,” said Garcia.

Radio stations will also inform the public about the shake drill by sounding an alert.

“This will be the signal for everyone to drop, cover and hold. Everybody can practice their respective evacuation plans,” the MMDA official added.

The MMDA will carry out plans under the Oplan Metro Yakal Plus, the agency’s contingency plan in the event of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

But no personnel or equipment will be prepositioned at the designated emergency operation centers and evacuation camps at northern, southern, eastern and western quadrants.