No stoppage for MRT, LRT for Thursday’s Earthquake Drill

MRT3 Shaw Boulevard Station (Photo courtesy of UrbanRail)

MANILA — Railway operations will not be affected by the Metro Manila Earthquake Drill Thursday (July 30) although personnel of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 will participate in the drill, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said in a press release.

The LRT-2 Depot in Santolan will also serve as one of the evacuation camps for the East quadrant, where mock exercises will be held, the department added.

Apart from observing the 45-second “duck, cover, and hold” procedure once sirens sound off tomorrow, the DOTC’s employees and its attached agencies will be implementing measures to ensure the safety and welfare of passengers, if and when the “Big One” strikes.

For the past weeks, airport personnel have been conducting table top exercises for earthquake protocols.

Tomorrow, the DOTC said the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will distribute information campaign materials to passengers at all the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals, although airline operations will not be interrupted.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Manila Team will deploy one search and rescue vessel, 50 rescue personnel, five rubber boats, medical teams and divers during the drill exercises.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Offices and Manila Port Operators will also participate in the drill and assure passengers that minimal interruption in port operations will be felt.

According to the Safety Tips for motorists by the DOTC – those on the road during the drill are expected to stop for 45 seconds once Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers give the signal that the drill is in full swing. However, it added that those plying along and below flyovers and in tunnels must keep driving in order to avoid being caught or trapped in these risk areas.

According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum, a driver will feel flat tires in a real earthquake.

Once this happens, drivers must pull to the side of the road, preferably near an open space and away from tall structures, and stay inside the vehicle until the quake is over.