Articles

ADB invites ADB-AFE members to the Health and Wellness Fair on 21-23 August 2019, along the Cafeteria Hallway through Auditoriums A-C.  The fair is a good opportunity to meet ADB's Medical and Dental providers, ISOS, Lifeline, and other partners.  There will also be an Emergency Supplies Fair, for those interested to purchase emergency kits.  There are lunchtime presentations during the 3 days.  

On 28 May ADB held a morning information session on disaster preparedness, with three main parts

• earthquake awareness,
• storms and flooding, and
• personal preparedness.

This summarizes the information given, as pertinent to former staff. The four attachments give details and two small guides prepared by Phivolcs and PAGASA.

PhiVolcs Director Renato Solidum on earthquake risk in Metro Manila

The Philippines has experienced 90 destructive earthquakes during the last 400 years—approximately 1 in 5 years.

The major fault running through Metro Manila is the West Valley Fault, extending from Bulacan to Laguna. This is readily visible as the cliff behind the Renaissance Towers and on the Laguna de Bay side of the South Super Highway. It generally experiences a major movement every 400 years, ±70 years. Its last major movement was in 1658—365 years ago; hence it may be ready to move again. Two types of shaking are experienced during a quake: horizontal and vertical depending on the type of tremor.

In terms of strength, a strong quake is intensity 7 or more on the Richter scale. If you can’t stand during a quake, it is probably intensity 8 or 9. Strong quakes can result in liquefaction of soft ground, broken water pipes, fissured roads, disrupted transport and water supply, and resulting fire especially in wood structures. A study in 2004 estimated that if the West Valley Fault were to generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, in Metro Manila an estimated 33,500 would die and 113,600 would be injured.

For Metro Manila, tsunami danger comes from the Manila Trench, which is outside Manila Bay. A strong quake in the trench could result in a 2-meter wave, and the city would have only a 2-hour lead time to respond.

Because of the evolution of building codes over time, tall buildings are less likely to be damaged than short ones, which are less likely to be damaged than houses.

To prepare for a strong quake,

• have food and water reserves;
• have mitigation plans, evacuations plans, and response plans prepared in advance;
• know what to do before, during, and after earthquakes;
• know the safe and dangerous spots;
• have response drills;
• have emergency kits and other emergency supplies;
• know the safest place is under a sturdy table—in a strong quake, drop beneath the table and hold onto the legs so you aren’t shaken out;
• open areas may also be safe, if their distance from the tallest structure in the vicinity is at least 1½ times its height—this is challenging in a city;
• beware of hanging objects, bridges, flyovers; and
• have a battery-operated AM radio.

PAGASA Chief Officer-in-Charge Susan R. Espinueva on storms and flooding

She noted the country gets an average of 19–20 cyclones/year; 1/year in Metro Manila.

During Ondoy, flood systems were down and flooding resulted from insufficient warning of unprecedented rainfall throughout the basin. The result was flash flooding. Causes include deforestation due to swidden farming (kaingin) and building of subdivisions in the headwaters of the Marikina River. In 2012, PAGASA launched a rainfall warning system that is available through Globe and Smart. See the PAGASA website for advice on preparedness measures. www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

Terry Dunn spoke preparedness

He noted we should have the following (excerpted for former staff):

• always have 3 days’ worth of supplies on hand (1wk would be better);
• have an emergency kit for each family member, on a backpack ready to go;
• have a family communication plan, and keep a wallet card with all family names and contacts; and
• keep car fuel levels above ½ a tank.

Useful contacts Keep in one or more prominent places in your house emergency contact numbers, including local police, fire, ambulance (such as Lifeline), and hospital numbers, including.

• PNP Hotline, for life-threatening or emergency need for police action: Dial 1-1-7 or 333
• Meralco Hotline: 632-8989 (Metro Manila) and 16211 (this is a call center service which is available 24/7, anytime)
• Maynilad/MWSS: Maynilad Hotline 1626; domestic toll-free number: 1800-1000-92837 of, for Cavite, 1800-1000-WATER.

Consider purchasing a solar charger for your cell phones.

(See attached file: Earthquake Preparedness Guide pocketsize.pdf)

(See attached file: Earthquake Risk and Preparedness Presentation ADB 28May2013.pdf)

(See attached file: PAGASA_May_28_townhall_presentation.pdf)

(See attached file: Phivolcs_Earthquake_Intensity_Scale.pdf)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – As a result of the nomination by the Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda as governor of the Bank of Japan, ADB announced today that Mr. Kuroda has submitted his resignation from ADB, effective March 18, 2013. An election of a successor to complete Mr. Kuroda’s term will be held by the Board of Governors of ADB in accordance with ADB’s Charter.

“I have been deeply honored to have served as ADB President and Chairperson of ADB’s Board of Directors,” Mr. Kuroda said. “I have also been privileged to have worked with an exceptionally strong and committed Board and talented and dedicated staff. I have every confidence in the continued success of ADB in the pursuit of its critical mission to alleviate poverty.”

Mr. Kuroda is a graduate of Tokyo University and the University of Oxford, and previously served as Japan’s Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs. Mr. Kuroda serves simultaneously as President of ADB and Chairperson of ADB’s Board of Directors. He was first elected by ADB’s Board of Governors in November 2004 and assumed office in February 2005. He was reelected for a third term in November 2011. Mr. Kuroda’s nomination to the Bank of Japan is subject to the approval of both houses of Japan’s Parliament.

President Kuroda’s Farewell Message to ADB Staff:

Dear Colleagues,

I have been deeply honored and privileged to serve as ADB President and Chairperson of its Board of Directors for more than eight years. As I prepare to depart ADB, I want to thank all the people that comprise the ADB community for providing me with the greatest working environment imaginable.

Our community draws from the talents of our 67 members around the world and unites us in a common and critical mission of sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation in Asia and the Pacific. Together, we have faced enormous challenges. But our successes are many and our progress has been remarkable. Yet the challenges of development in our region remain, and it will be incumbent upon you to continue our mission under a new leadership with the same vigorous energy, enthusiasm and skill that you have shown during my tenure.

I leave ADB with sadness to be separating from such great people, but also with great pride in our accomplishments. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone at ADB who worked so hard to build on ADB's decades of achievement.

The mission of ADB remains as important today as it was on the day of its founding, and I have every confidence in ADB's continuing and ultimate success.

With gratitude and best wishes,

Haruhiko Kuroda