NDRMMC prepares for the “big one”

Photo: Ree Dexter/Flickr.com

Further preparations are being done by various institutions following predictions from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that the West Valley Fault is already ripe and could generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila.

Members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) together with the Department Interior and Local Government, and other institutions held a meeting over the weekend in Quezon City.

Ishmael C Narag of Phivolcs made a presentation regarding the possible effects of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake if it hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The presentation was focused on the massive impacts and the huge economic loss that the capital could incur.

Narag pointed out that the earthquake is not only limited to the capital but also in other regions in the country.

MMDA Brigadier General Manuel S Gonzales gave an overview of the “Oplan Metro Yakal Plus”, a contingency plan that creates a system of identified regions and assigned quadrants in Metro Manila during the response.

Meanwhile, Director Felino O. Castro of the DSWD presented the National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) for earthquakes and tsunami which was approved by the National Council during its meeting.

Members of the National Council emphasized the full utilization of the NDRP and advised the Local Government Units to align their plans with the NDRP on assisting disaster-hit areas in the event of the earthquake.