PHIVOLCS chief underscores need for NCR's preparedness for quake

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Renato Solidum on Wednesday reiterated the need for Metro Manila to be prepared should an earthquake hit the metropolis.

In a meeting with the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) held at the Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center, Solidum said there should be preparedness in the area since an earthquake can damage roads, bridges, and various infrastructure, rendering the metropolis isolated.

"Malakas na pagyanig—maraming mga building at bahay ang pwedeng masira. Maraming pwedeng mamatay at pwedeng masira ang mga tulay, kalsada. So magkakaroon ng isolation sa Metro Manila in terms nung hindi makatawid sa mga tulay. Kaya dapat mayroon tayong preparedness sa mga zones na ma-a-isolate kung sira ang mga tulay," he said.

The MMDRRMC meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), AFP-NCR Command, National Capital Regional Police Office, PAGASA, Philippine National Red Cross, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices of Metro LGUs, and other civic volunteer groups.

'The Big One'?

Solidum, meanwhile, allayed fears that a magnitude-7.2 earthquake dubbed as the "The Big One" would soon hit Metro Manila.

"Nagkataon lang na maraming lindol sa iba’t ibang lugar ng Pilipinas. At least 20 earthquakes per day ang na-re-record ng ating mga instrument all over the Philippines. As we increase the number of instruments, syempre 'yung mga maliliit na lindol, lalong nare-record, so in time mas marami ang na-re-record," he said.

"Nagkakataon na paminsan-minsan 'yung ibang mga faults ay nagdudulot ng moderate-sized earthquake at bihira 'yung major earthquakes. Pero kung mangyayari 'yung major earthquakes, dito natin makikita 'yung pinsala na matindi," he added.

Solidum also reiterated that the earthquake which recently hit Batangas was not connected to the West Valley Fault. 

"Hindi totoo ang mga haka-haka na kesyo maraming lindol sa Batangas ay susunod na ang pagkilos ng West Valley Fault," Solidum said.

The West Valley Fault runs from the heights of Sierra Madre down to Laguna. It crosses the eastern side of Quezon City, western side of Marikina, western part of Pasig, eastern part of Makati, and parts of Taguig and Muntinlupa.

In terms of news of "The Big One" being circulated on social media, Solidum urged the public that they should not easily believe such false information.

LGU preps

Solidum then suggested to the members of MMDRRMC that there should be an organized team who would conduct disaster-response operations in every local government unit.

He also emphasized that first aid training among these personnel should be conducted. 

Inspections of houses and buildings should also be done by civil engineers in order to determine their integrity and vulnerability to strong earthquakes.

Moreover, Solidum said that the coordination of BFP would also be needed as fire could be triggered after an earthquake.

In terms of information dissemination, Solidum suggested that a coordinated communication system between government agencies should be formed, noting that officials should always be ready to assist the public.

"Maayos na communication system para naman maayos na information ang mabibigay natin sa ating mga kababayan, kasi pagdating ng disaster, ang susunod na disaster diyan ay information disaster. Kasi maraming haka-haka na mangyayari kaya dapat in control tayong lahat – gobyerno," he said.

"Dapat iwasan natin ang leadership vacuum. Dapat 'yung mga leader, nandiyan; hindi dapat mawala," Solidum added.

Solidum also noted that disaster awareness should be converted to action. 

"'Yung mga nangyayari ngayon tumaas ang kanilang awareness so dapat magkaroon tayo ng programa na ma-convert 'yung awareness sa aksyon," he said.

Earthquake drill

He then urged the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to immediately conduct a metro-wide earthquake drill in which barangays could also participate.

"Minumungkahi ko na gumawa na tayo ng third metro-wide earthquake drill, pero maliban sa Metro Manila, sana isama na natin ang Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna para lang mas realistic. At sana sa lahat ng komunidad, makita na natin ang kahandaan nila. Siguro pumunta na tayo sa bawat barangay, magkaroon ng barangay level preparedness and evacuation drill sa bawat siyudad dito sa Metro Manila," Solidum said.

Meanwhile, MMDA Officer-in-Charge Tim Orbos said they would include the barangay level in their third metro-wide earthquake drill which will be held in July. 

Go bags

Orbos also noted that preparedness should start in every home with the "Emergency Go Bags."

"Kailangan 'yung preparedness nasa bahay. 'Yung paghahanda ng Go-bag hindi biro 'yan. At least for three days dapat mayroon ka dapat hinahanda. Hindi kailangang bumili ng Go-bag sa mall. Napakasimple lang niyan," he said.

The following basic items as suggested by PHIVOLCS should be inside every emergency supply kit:

• First aid kit
• Food
• Bottled water
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Battery-operated radio
• Candles and matches, lighter
• Whistle
• Knife
• Blankets, spare clothes and shoes
• Rope (at least 7 meters)
• Toiletries
• Permanent marker, pen and paper
• Emergency contact information
• Important documents
• Cash
• Baby food (if necessary)
• Medication (for those with special needs)

Safety guide

Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS said the following earthquake safety guide should be prepared by every family:

• Check the location of your house if along or near an active fault, prone to landslide, liquefaction and tsunami.
• Assess your house using the "How Safe is my House?" questionnaire.
• Orient family members about an earthquake and its hazards.
• Teach each member on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake: "Duck (Drop), Cover, and Hold."
• Conduct observation on safe and unsafe spots in your house.
• Prepare family emergency supply kit.
• Prepare family evacuation procedure.
• Familiarize your family with the community earthquake evacuation plan.
• Know the community emergency contact numbers and facilities.
• Regularly conduct earthquake drill.
• Teach your family basic first aid, as well as how to use the fire extinguisher, how to switch off waterlines, gas tanks, and circuit breaker.
• Agree on how to reunite and communicate with family members.

Check your house

He then recommended specific standards for structural design of buildings and houses, saying that those who could not afford to consult engineers should assess their own homes.

"Mayroon na tayong ipinalabas through PHIVOLCS na 'How safe is my house?’ para sa maliliit na bahay at kababayan na hindi maka-afford ng consultation engineers. Kasi 'yung minimum na hollow blocks [ay] 6 inches, minimum na bakal [ay] 10mm. Unfortunately, maraming binebenta na ganyan. Siguro mas mura pero baka posibleng ipagbawal na 'yan," Solidum said.

According to the manual of "House self-check," concrete hollow blocks should be at least 6 inches thick reinforced with "vertical and horizontal steel bars with a minimum diameter of 10 millimeters spaced at 40 centimeters and 60 centimeters on center respectively." —KG, GMA News