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MMDA wants to ‘shut down’ metro for realistic earthquake drill


The Metro Manila Development Authority is pushing for a more realistic earthquake drill in preparation for a possible magnitude-7.2 killer quake that might hit Metro Manila in the near future, a report from GMA's “24 Oras” said Thursday.
 
According to the report, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said they want a metrowide drill that will run from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. where malls and offices will be closed and power, communications and transportation will be disabled. 

 
“Ginagawa 'yan sa state of California. 'Pag nagkaroon tayo ng 7.2 [magnitude earthquake] disrupted siguro tayo ng three weeks. Kung mangyari ito, na-practice na natin,” Tolentino said.
 
The MMDA expects a low rate of survival in case this happens.
 
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for its part supports the MMDA initiative.
 
NDRRMC Undersecretary Alexander Pama said it is about time that there was a more serious and realistic approach to protect public safety.
 
“Marami pa ring kababayan natin at sector [na] hindi sineseryoso [ang earthquake drills]. Unang una, nanonood lang tapos minsan nagtatawanan pa,” Pama said.
 
But some companies have qualms about the adverse effects of the proposed realistic earthquake drill.
 
“If you cut off all communications and all power... What if there is a real emergency?” Smart Communications Public Affairs head Mon Isberto asked.
 
“'Yung mga power plants will have to reduce their load. So, baka lang mahirap balansehin kapag buong Metro Manila walang kuryente sapagkat the Luzon Grid is integrated as an entire grid,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said.
 
The MMDA currently has 21 disaster response equipment placed in strategic areas around the metro containing tools that can be used in the event of a devastating earthquake.
 
On Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology released the West Valley Fault System Atlas detailing information about risk areas near the fault. — Andrei Medina/JDS/KG, GMA News
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