Metro-wide earthquake drill set on July 30

MANILA — The  earthquake drill to test the people’s resiliency in case a 7.2-magnitude earthquake or stronger hits Metro Manila will be held on July 30.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino said in a briefing with the Inquirer that the drill will be attended by some 5-6 million people.

“A total of 538 organizations have signified their intent to join the drill. All public and private schools and universities will join, as well as hospitals, religious sectors, business process outsourcing companies, business groups, malls and even transport groups,” he told the Inquirer.

The drill will be held simultaneously from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. across the National Capital Region (NCR).

Tolentino earlier announced that NCR will be divided into four quadrants for faster evacuation.

In a contingency plan called Oplan Metro Yakal, the four quadrants were enumerated. The said quadrants will also conduct activities on July 30.

A hospital medical triage and relief will take place in the north sector including Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon and Quezon City the Veterans Memorial Medical Center golf course was designated as their evacuation site.

Debris clearing simulation will occur in the south sector cities of Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas and the municipality of Pateros. The assigned site is the Villamor Air Base golf course.

Manila, Navotas and Pasay, the west sector, will have fire drills. They were assigned near the Intramuros Golf Course.

Lastly, a simulation of collapsed buildings will happen at the east sector Marikina and Pasig City  near the Light Rail Transit Line 2 Santolan Station.