黑料社

MANILA, Philippines鈥擨n anticipation of a major earthquake in the metropolis, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the City of Manila conducted a city-wide earthquake drill听Wednesday听to prepare Manilenyos in the event such a catastrophe strikes.

During the drill, rescue squads simulated the actions that should be undertaken when the movement of the valley fault system causes a magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology Institute said that Manilenyos are 鈥渁ware鈥� of the situation, but the readiness still needs some work.

鈥淭hey are aware, they have awareness, if the disaster strikes,鈥� Solidum said. 鈥淏ut the readiness still needs to improve, especially the [stability of] buildings.鈥�

During the drill, different scenarios were simulated like car collisions and the ensuing fires with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation building and the Emerald Garden restaurant used in the simulation.

Employees inside the Pagcor building were ordered to evacuate the premises before doing the simulation.

Solidum added that Filipinos should have a 鈥渄isaster imagination鈥� wherein they should anticipate how a disaster strikes and the aftermath of such.

鈥淲e should have a disaster imagination, we are preparing years before it strikes,鈥� Solidum said.

Undersecretary Alexander Pama of the NDRRMC said that reaction during times of disasters is a priority.

鈥淚n this kind of situation, reaction time is very important,鈥� Pama said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want this to happen but in the case that it happens we are ready.鈥�

He may be satisfied with the drill but Pama said that it鈥檚 premature to declare if Manila is ready for the Big One.

鈥淏ased on the scenario, they are prepared but it鈥檚 still premature to say for the Big One,鈥� Pama said.

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