Malacañang said that state agencies including the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council are now conducting information campaign on the possibility of a “mega earthquake” occuring in the Philippines.
As this developed, the Metro Manila Development Authority urged local government units to inspect at random school dormitories and determine if these comply with safety rules and standards.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Phivolcs and the NDRRMC are taking the lead in the earthquake information drive.
In several different communities, the local disaster risk reduction and management council is also performing its duties, Coloma said.
“In Muntinlupa, since the West Valley fault may be affected, there has been educational and awareness campaign with the residents, and the communities are working on measures that can be implemented. We all help out in spreading information and strengthen our readiness against earthquakes and other natural disasters. This is part of our duties as good citizens of our republic,” said Coloma.
PHIVOLCS said residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces should prepare for a “mega earthquake” that could destroy major infrastructure and kill thousands of people.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum reiterated the warning because the West Valley Fault traversing across Metro Manila could be hit by a powerful quake.
He said that the fault usually moves every 400 to 600 years, and that the last time a strong quake occurred was in 1658 or 357 years ago.
Solidum issued the statement following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal last month. More than 8,000 died in the incident, with thousands left injured and homeless.
Last year, a joint study conducted by local agencies and the Australian government showed that a magnitude 7.2-earthquake in the West Valley Fault could kill 37,054 people and cause P2.4 trillion in damage.
The results were “very statistically similar” with the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study undertaken by Phivolcs, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2004, Solidum said.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, for his part, called on LGUs and Bureau of Fire Protection officials to ensure that fire exits, fire alarms and other safety equipment are functioning.
Taking advantage of the summer vacation to correct any deficiency will go a long way to keep the students’ out of harm’s way, Tolentino said.