Generally successful was how the Quezon City disaster risk reduction management council assessed the conduct of the July 30 shake drill at the QC Hall grounds as QC’s participation in the metro-wide earthquake drill organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority.
Using the July 30 activity as template, QC now plans to institutionalize the conduct of earthquake drills in the city at least twice a year to raise public awareness and muscle memory on disaster preparedness.
If plans do not miscarry, the city is planning to conduct a city-wide earthquake drill the last quarter of the year at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Mayor Herbert Bautista, together with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Joel Pagdilao and QCDRRMC action officer Elmo San Diego, supervised the July 30 activity at QC Hall. Prior to his appointment as NCRPO chief, Pagdilao was QC Police District director.
Aside from QC Hall, pocket drills were also conducted at Eastwood City, Veterans Memorial Hospital, Novaliches District Center and at SM and Trinoma malls, all in Quezon City. Eastwood City in Barangay Libis hosted the biggest pocket drill. Meanwhile, secretary to the mayor Tadeo Palma supervised the pocket drill at the Novaliches District Center.
During the July 30 activity, emergency responders from the QC department of public order and safety, QC Fire Department, health department, social services development department, engineering department and QC Red Cross demonstrated their rescue and response capabilities to highlight the city government’s continuing effort to provide the necessary emergency response services to city residents, especially in case of an earthquake that could emanate from the West Valley Fault.
“Hindi po biro ang faultline. Before in denial po tayo pero ngayon kailangan po natin ang ganitong mga exercise para matiyak ang ating kahandaan,” San Diego said.
After the drill, San Diego said the city’s DRRMC will be conducting a gap analysis to address what are still lacking in the city’s disaster preparedness plan.
Meanwhile, Mike Marasigan, officer-in-charge of the disaster control division of the DPOS disclosed that the city government has considered procuring water tankers and purifiers to ensure that potable water shall be provided to city residents during emergency situations. Under the city’s plan, each of the city’s six districts shall have water treatment facility.
Earlier, Mayor Bautista called for a massive participation of all stakeholders in the July 30 metro-wide earthquake drill which was organized by the government to test the implementation of national and local contingency plans for emergency situations, including earthquakes.
Among those being mobilized by the Mayor are the city’s 142 barangays, public and ,private schools, commercial establishments, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, government and private hospitals, churches, government offices, media organizations and other community-based institutions.(Maureen Quiñones, PAISO)
Posted By: Edrillan Pasion
