SENATOR Loren Legarda is urging the public to take part in the one-hour metro-wide earthquake drill in Metro Manila set for next week.
The drill will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on July 30.
The Metro Manila Development Authority said the exercise will be based on the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2004.
"Earthquakes can occur without warning. There is no way to predict what will happen when it does, but there is a way to be able to survive strong temblors and minimize casualties and damages," said Legarda.
"We need to take disaster preparedness seriously and cooperation among all sectors of society is very important," she added.
Legarda said natural hazards have become evident but the public need not to live in fear because certain laws will help them become proactive in addressing such so they would not turn into disasters.
A 2004 MMEIRS showed that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake may kill 34,000 individuals and may injure 114,000, may destroy 40 percent of residential buildings, and ensuing fires may result in 18,000 additional fatalities.
Legarda said the regular conduct of fire and earthquake drills in schools, offices and residential communities would effectively instill disaster preparedness among citizens.
The senator also proposed to establish early warning systems for earthquake and tsunami, determine open spaces for safe refuge when earthquakes occur, and craft evacuation plans that would help citizens find out the fasters and safest way to reach open spaces and other safe areas.
Legarda has filed Senate Bill 357 or the proposed Preparedness in Buildings during Fire, Earthquake and other Hazardous Phenomena Act.
Under the bill, schools and other educational establishments, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and orphanages and other buildings or structures used for the care of or occupied by the sick, infirm, or disabled are mandated to conduct monthly emergency drills.
The proposed measure also seeks to conduct emergency drills in school buses and other vehicles for transporting schoolchildren at least twice every school year.
The training should include practice and instruction concerning the location, use and operation of emergency exits, fire escapes, doors and fire extinguishers and other facilities provided for such purpose in buildings, as well as the proper evacuation in the event of fires, earthquakes and other hazardous phenomena.
Apart from conducting safety drills in schools and hospitals, the government and building owners are also required to ensure the structural integrity of the buildings. (Sunnex)