Philippine Red Cross resumes earthquake drills

Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon speaks with PRC volunteers (Photo courtesy of PRC Facebook page)

MANILA — With the continued warnings by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) regarding the West Valley Fault, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will continue its earthquake drills in schools and workplaces for public safety.

PRC Chairman Richard Gordon instructed all Red Cross Chapter administrators in the National Capital Region to coordinate with public and private schools in their areas to set a schedule for an earthquake drill. He also directed them to coordinate with building administrators, public and private offices so that drills could also be set for building tenants and the employees.

“We are advocating this to support schools and workplaces in conducting earthquake drills for the safety of the students and other people. We give a demonstration of what to do in case of an earthquake,” said Gordon.

Prompted by the Nepal 8.1 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 8,000 people and injured 23,000, Phivolcs reported that the West Valley Fault can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The said fault runs through Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna.

“We conduct the drills not to scare the people, but to prepare them and equip them.

We are serious about this, and we hope that everyone will be, too, especially the students,” said PRC Secretary General Gwen Pang.

At least six schools in Mega Manila have been identified to be transected by the West Valley Fault: Barangka Elementary School in Marikina, Tibagan Elementary School in Makati, Anne Claire Montessori in Taguig, E. Pedro Diaz High School and Alabang Elementary School in Muntinlupa.

There is also an East Valley Fault that runs through Rizal.