Tolentino eyes update of NCR quake contingency plan

Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday raised the need to update the earthquake contingency plan for the National Capital Region due to new infrastructures in the metro.

"Yung sinimulan po natin yung Oplan Metro Yakal matagal-tagal na po iyan. Nag-shake drill po tayo non kung matatandaan niyo," Tolentino, former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(We started the Oplan Metro Yakal a long time ago. We already conducted several shake drills if you can recall.)

"Siguro dapat i-update na po ito kasi dumami na rin po 'yung imprastraktura sa atin, kung Metro Manila po ang pag-uusapan dumami na po 'yung sa [Bonifacio Global City], dumami na po yung sa Eastwood, at nadagdagan na rin po itong nasa may [Mall of Asia] area, itong reclaimed areas," Tolentino added.

(Maybe we should update the plan because there are a lot of new infrastructures in Metro Manila, particularly in Bonifacio Global City, Eastwood and the Mall of Asia area.)

Likewise, Tolentino suggested adding two more evacuation areas should an earthquake happen in Metro Manila.

According to the MMDA, Oplan Metro Yakal Plus is Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council's response tool based on a 7.2 magnitude movement of the West Valley Fault with Intensity VIII ground shaking.

It aims to institutionalize an effective and efficient system of earthquake disaster preparedness and response of the MMDRRMC members and partners by defining their roles and responsibilities guided by sets of actions that shall be carried out prior to and immediately after a strong earthquake.

Further, Tolentino seeks to amend the National Building Code by requiring buildings to install telecommunication infrastructure that can be used during emergency situations. —KBK, GMA Integrated News