Shake drills increase readiness for 7.2 quake

Vehicle burned along EDSA, a major thoroughfare in Manila, simulates a scenario following a possible devastating earthquake in Metro Manila. By Figenio Toledo IV and Mike Frialde

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared Wednesday’s staging of the “Metro Manila Shake Drill” a success as thousands from the metro and nearby provinces took part in the earthquake drill.

“It is safe to say that we have exceeded last year's number of shake drill participants owing to the participation of regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4 (Southern Tagalog), plus the pledge of (shopping) malls to contribute 500,000 participants. (The) primary to tertiary levels in schools joined as well plus motorists,” said MMDA public information head Hope Libiran.

Libiran added that the MMDA was also able to reach 3.3 billion about the shake drill through social media.

At exactly 9 a.m., sirens blared at the MMDA office in Makati City to signal the start of the earthquake drill.

MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos then led MMDA officials and employees in executing the “duck, cover and hold” drill during the simulated 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

During the simulation, employees were evacuated from the MMDA building as firemen from the Makati Fire Station arrived to douse a simulated fire at the building.

Following the simulated fire and evacuation at the MMDA building, emergency responders then rushed to the nearby Guadalupe Bridge to assist in the rescue of people “trapped” by debris.

Responding firemen rushed to extricate a passenger from a car pinned by debris at the bridge. Another group of firemen meanwhile doused water on a burning car also at the bridge.

At the same time, MMDA personnel rescued people from the Pasig River using rubber boats in a tense water search and rescue operation.

The drill dealing with the scenarios were over in just minutes as those rescued were transported by ambulances to Villamor Airbase which serves as the main evacuation and treatment area for south Metro Manila in the event of a 7.2 magnitude quake.

The entire shake drill just took about an hour to be completed.

"The importance of surviving the earthquake is for us to allocate our resources even better. Dahil ‘pag kayo nag-survive hindi na namin kayo kailangan tulungan. Makakatulong kami sa iba. The more people who will do the duck cover and hold, the less effort on the part of the government (to help)," said Carlos.


Four sectors, various earthquake scenarios

The rescue operations and evacuation drills were planned according to the projected impact of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hitting Metro Manila, including the collapse of Guadalupe Bridge that would result in the separation of the South Quadrant from the rest of the metropolis.
The South Quadrant consists of Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Pateros.

At the Makati City Hall, first responders from various units conducted an elevator rescue at the New Makati City Hall Building (Building 1).

Meanwhile, ladder fire truck rescue, rope safety rescue (high angle) and super tanker fire suppression were carried out at the roof deck of Makati City Hall Building 2. Rescue of “injured victims” were also done in buildings within city hall grounds and in selected institutions.

During Wednesday's shake drill, the MMDA divided Metro Manila into four sectors where various simulated earthquake scenarios would be played out.

For the West sector (Intramuros corner Burgos and Bonifacio Drive, in front of Manila Hotel in Manila), the MMDA staged a collapsed structure rescue and victim extrication at the MMDA Workers’ Inn, staged a fire suppression drill at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila Hotel and at the Baseco Compound.

Mass evacuation drills were also staged at the Manila City Hall, the Malabon City Hall and the Navotas City Hall.

For the South sector (Villamor Golf Course in Pasay City), the MMDA staged a collapsed structure rescue at the Guadalupe MRT station (northbound) and a water rescue at the section of the Pasig River in Guadalupe, Makati.

Simulated mass evacuations and debris clearing operations were also staged at the Taguig City Hall, the MMDA building, at the SM Mall of Asia, and at the Baclaran Church.

A rescue operation and a headcount of inmates meanwhile was done at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City while a collapsed structure rescue operation was also simulated at the Alabang Viaduct area also in Muntinlupa City.

At the North sector (Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City), the MMDA staged a simulated high-angle rescue at the Quezon City Hall, a fire suppression drill at the Quezon Memorial Circle and at the Sandiganbayan building and at the Mandaluyong City Hall.

Rescue operations were also simulated at the SM North mall and at the SM North footbridge.
Over at the East sector (LRT Line 2 Santolan depot in Pasig City), the MMDA staged a relief goods transport simulation using the Pasig River Ferry System.

The MMDA also simulated a collapsed structure rescue at the Riverbanks Mall in Marikina City, at the SM Marikina mall and Barangay Barangka also in Marikina City.


Reported earlier...



Volunteers jump into the Pasig River from the Guadalupe Bridge for the simulation of water rescue operations during the second
Metro Manila Shake Drill on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.

Institutions across Metro Manila on Wednesday prepared for the feared 7.2-magnitude earthquake with the second yearly metro-wide earthquake drill.

Rescue, medical and security groups led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority mobilized government agencies, corporate organizations and educational institutions for the Metro Manila Shake Drill in anticipation of the possible movement of the West Valley Fault crisscrossing the urban areas.

Experts say the "big one" may strike the capital within one's lifetime. According to Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study, there are 170,000 houses near the West Valley Fault at risk. The quake can also result in an estimated 50,000 fatalities.

Rescuers said streets will be on standstill caused by multiple road accidents once the quake strikes.

Here are some simulated scenarios staged near EDSA-Guadalupe area in Makati City.



Vehicle extrication / road accident scenario

Road accident scenarios staged on EDSA-Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City. Reports & photos courtesy of Philippine Star

Gamiaw Headliners: Makati to close roads for rescue exercises

Ayala road, Makati City Philippines | Reports CT of RH News

Makati City, Philippines - Road closures and traffic rerouting will be implemented in Makati City on Wednesday.

This is in line with the city’s participation in the Metro Manila “shake drill” or earthquake effect simulation alongside with the second quarter national simultaneous earthquake drill, Arch. Elmer Cabrera, officer-in-charge of the Makati Public Safety Department, announced on Monday.

In the scenario, Metro Manila is hit with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake wherein the South Quadrant, consisting of Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Pateros, is separated from the rest of Metro Manila (North, East and West Quadrants) with the collapse of Guadalupe Bridge.

The city government and other response units will conduct elevator rescue in New Makati City Hall Building (building 1), fire truck ladder rescue in Makati City Hall Building 2, rope safety rescue (high angle) and super tanker fire suppression at the roof deck of Building 2.

Two incidents will be attended by responders at Guadalupe, the collapse of Guadalupe Bridge and MRT Guadalupe segment.

The Makati Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) unit will assist in the rescue simulation at Pasig River for floating and submerged victims.

Portions of J.P. Rizal will be closed for the drills from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, specifically the right lane (Manila-bound) of J.P. Rizal (segment from E. Zobel St. to Antipolo St.). The leftmost lane of the same segment will remain open to one-way traffic bound for Manila.

The following roads will be totally closed from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon: Cardona St. (from J.P. Rizal to Osmeña), Angono St. (from J.P. Rizal to Osmeña), Hormiga St. (from Angono to Cardona), Morong St., F. Zobel St. (from J.P. Rizal to Osmeña), Zenaida St., Ma. Aurora St., and Buencamino St.
Motorists from Manila going to EDSA may pass Antipolo St., turn right to Osmeña St., and right again to E. Zobel.

The staging area for ambulances and fire trucks are in Angono St. and F. Zobel St.  The command post, medical post and triage will be stationed in Angono St.

The rest of the fully-closed roads will serve as the holding areas of evacuees from the different offices and buildings in the city hall compound.

For the scenarios on the collapse of Guadalupe Bridge (water rescue) and Guadalupe MRT Station (collapsed structure rescue), the northbound bus lanes (yellow lanes) on EDSA spanning Guadalupe Bridge will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.

For the rest of the northbound lanes and southbound lanes in Guadalupe Bridge, traffic will stop at the sound of the siren (signal for an earthquake) at 9:02 a.m. At 9:03 a.m, the southbound traffic will proceed, while for the northbound, traffic will proceed at the areas outside the bus lanes.
The East Cloverleaf northbound will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to 12 noon, while the southbound segment will remain open.

The closed road will serve as the preposition area for Makati’s ambulances and rubber boat of rescuers, and vehicles from MMDA and other local governments.

Meanwhile, motorists are advised of the following designated alternate routes during the drills: all vehicles along J.P. Rizal east bound toward EDSA, turn right to San Jose St., turn right to Burgos St., and right turn to EDSA.

Motorists may also turn right at Lawton Avenue, turn right at Kalayaan St., and right turn to EDSA toward destination.

Motorists along J.P. Rizal west bound to EDSA, are advised to make a left turn to Lawton Avenue, and right turn to Kalayaan Avenue toward destination.

All PUJs from FTI and Market-Market, take Kalayaan Avenue towards destination.