Metro Manila held #MMShakeDrill, a city-wide earthquake drill today, July 30, 2015.
At exactly 10:30 AM, sirens and emergency alarm systems blared in various buildings and institutions around the Metro announcing the start of the drill. Around 6 million people from schools, religious institutions, government offices, private business establishments and residential barangays participated.
VA Employees practicing drop, cover and hold.
Some roads were closed and even cars in main thoroughfares were expected to stop for 45 seconds while the sirens blazed simulating an actual earthquake scenario. Rescue scenarios were also conducted in pocket areas around major districts.
The drill is in preparation for the Big One. According to seismologists, the West Valley Fault and East Valley Fault that borders Metro Manila along with nearby provinces moves every 300-400 years. The last movement was 300 years ago. Earthquakes cannot be predicted but a 7.2 magnitude quake might hit Metro Manila anytime. Government authorities, along with business sectors have formed Disaster Preparedness Plans as well as Business Continuity Plans to ensure everyone is prepared when an earthquake strikes.
Vertaccount participated in the drill along with the other companies within the Makati Central Business District. Prior to the drill, an orientation was conducted to demonstrate safety procedures like Drop, Cover and Hold. Other protocols and what-if scenarios were also discussed. This was part of Vertaccount’s Business Continuity Policy which includes scenarios for floods, typhoons, fires and other disasters.
It was a successful drill and one which we are confident the city will improve on and perform regularly in the future.