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)