MMDA wants law allowing agency to take over heavy equipment during disasters

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino on Monday asked Congress to pass a law authorizing the agency to take over private assets and heavy equipment in times of national emergencies.

Tolentino made the suggestion for the MMDA to use the said property and equipment for post-disaster recovery and retrieval operations.

Tolentino said that there were heavy equipment such as payloaders, bulldozers, and backhoes lying idly in strategic areas within the capital and which will be damaged if not used in times of disaster.

“We’re asking for a legislative measure that will authorize the MMDA during a declaration of an emergency to take possession of all these assets to be utilized for clearing and recovery operations without regard for imminent just compensation," Tolentino told a House committee looking into the country's earthquake preparedness efforts.

"Bahala nang pag-usapan ang bayad doon, maging ang bayad sa gasolina,” he added.

Tolentino recalled that he had to ask for the keys of heavy equipment parked in certain areas within Metro Manila when typhoon Yolanda hit in 2013 so they can be used for post-disaster clearing operations.

In addition to authorizing the MMDA to take over heavy equipment, Tolentino proposed that his agency or the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) be allowed to take over select prime private institutions and properties in times of disaster for use in recovery, retrieval and rehabilitation operations.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director Renato Solidum has earlier identified exclusive golf courses and cemeteries as possible evacuation sites when an earthquake occurs.

Oplan Metro Yakal

Although public interest in disaster preparedness was only revived recently, Tolentino said the MMDA had long been preparing a comprehensive contingency plan for a major earthquake.

According to Tolentino, the MMDA created Oplan Metro Yakal in 2012 to ensure that affected local government units and the central government would continue to function even after a magnitude-7.2 earthquake.

“[With Oplan Metro Yakal in place], makakaasa tayo na after the golden hour [ay magkakaroon ng] semblance of normalcy. Hospitals will be functioning kahit walang communication. Ang magiging problema lang natin ay tubig & kuryente,” he said.

Under the plan, some 6,000 MMDA employees will be mobilized as part of Task Force Rainbow to assist in post-earthquake rescue operations.

Dedicated evacuation sites for the 17 local government units have also been named in the plan. These are the Veterans Golf Course for the north, Villamor Airbase for Pasay and other south cities, Intramuros Golf Course for Manila and the CAMANAVA area, Wack Wack Golf Course for Mandaluyong City, and the ULTRA for Pasig City and the rest of the east.

The Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, meanwhile, has been designated as the temporary burial area where cadavers will be brought.

Recovery period

Tolentino stressed the importance of preparing ahead for an earthquake as he warned that Metro Manila would suffer billions of pesos worth of damage should a magnitude-7.2 temblor occur in the capital.

“Immediately after an earthquake, the prospect of recovery will take three to four weeks. We’re providing the public with the information now not to scare them, but to give them time to prepare," Tolentino said.

As part of its disaster preparedness initiatives, Tolentino said the MMDA planned to hold an earthquake rescue skills competition involving all Metro Manila LGUs on June 2. The LGUs readiness in responding to earthquakes may be assessed during the contest.

The contest will be followed with the launch of a “mobile earthquake house” simulator that will show the effects of an earthquake, ranging from intensity six to 10.

The mobile house will make the rounds of barangays near the West Valley Fault to show residents the horizontal and vertical movement that will occur during an earthquake.

PHIVOLCS recently released the Valley Fault System (VFS) Atlas mapping the areas affected by earthquake faults in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The agency has previously warned about possible impending activity from the West Valley Fault, which could generate a Magnitude 7.2 earthquake. This is almost as strong as the Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Nepal last month.

The East Valley Fault could generate a magnitude 6.2 earthquake. -NB, GMA News