THE Chinese community in Manila conducted a fire drill as preparation for the feared ‘Big One,’ a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that could occur in Metro Manila.
These are scenes around Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz in the heart of Binondo, Manila.
Chaotic, noisy, and people panicking. A fire also emerged in the area.
But these scenarios are staged as part of the simulation drive involving over 40 barangays in China Town to prepare for the feared 7.2 magnitude earthquake or ‘The Big One.’
Unlike previous earthquake drills, the setting in Binondo is at night, making the participants’ involvement more realistic.
First in the sequence is the turning off of lights in support of earth hour symbolizing the power outage after an earthquake.
Next is practicing duck-cover-and-hold during the tremors.
Also included is the systematic deployment of people to safe areas.
The drill also includes teaching the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Above all, providing first aid to earthquake victims.
According to the Manila China Town Barangay Organization, they must be accustomed to such scenarios due to the number of buildings and businesses that will collapse when a strong earthquake strikes.
“This drill of ours will help everyone… First, starting from the barangay to add knowledge when disasters strike, the residents, when they go down, look for the barangay. At least the barangay knows where to gather them, what to do, whether to take them to the hospital, fire department, ambulance, all the important emergencies so they know where to go,” said Jeff Lau, Barangay Chairman, Old China Town, Manila.
More than 50,000 dead, over 110,000 injured, and about 170,000 houses destroyed—this is the worst-case scenario if ‘The Big One’ hits Metro Manila.
That’s why for the Bureau of Fire Protection, everyone should take every earthquake drill seriously because being informed during emergencies is safer.
“These drills, becoming their routine, or their experience of what needs to be done, they’ll repeat it. As they say, practice makes perfect. So, when this is constantly done, it becomes part of people’s system of what they should do,” FSSupt. Christine Doctor-Cula, Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Manila stressed.
