THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it is intensifying citizen earthquake preparedness as it joined the second-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Thursday.
This comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Southern Mindanao on June 8.
Thursday’s drill commenced with a ceremonial pressing of the button signaling the start of the nationwide exercise, followed by the “duck, cover, and hold” drill.
The full-scale exercise involved MMDA teams conducting emergency response scenarios. Emergency “go bags,” containing essential items for emergencies like flotation devices, were used during the exercise.
The use of a mobile command center and operations vehicle equipped with locator devices, power tools, and rescue cameras was also tested.
The MMDA Public Safety Division conducted a post-evaluation after the activity to assess the agency’s readiness and identify areas for improvement.
The MMDA said the drill was part of preparations in the event a magnitude 7.2 earthquake emanates from the West Valley Fault that could severely affect Metro Manila and the National Capital Region.
