The Makati City local government, together with agencies from the national government, launched on Thursday, Sept. 8, the country's 3rd quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill as part of its efforts to prepare the community and emergency/disaster-response forces in responding to calamities and disasters.

The event, in partnership with the Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Ayala Property Management Corporation, and Makati Central Estate Association (MACEA), was held at the Legazpi Active Park in Makati on Thursday.

Simulations of different scenarios such as evacuation, search and rescue, medical response, fire suppression, and traffic management were conducted during the drill.

"We cannot prevent disasters from happening, but we can minimize and reduce its effects. To build a culture of resilience, we need the application of a whole of society approach in planning and preparing for emergency and disaster operations," Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said in her opening remarks delivered by Makati DRRM Officer Richard Rodriguez.

"The National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill is an opportune time to test the efficiency and usefulness of the preparedness, response, and recovery plans of the local government units, offices, and schools," she added.

The mayor explained that the drills teaches various local government units (LGUs) raise the bar in disaster resilience and preparedness as well as their recovery programs and initiatives which include making sure that there is ample supply of food, medicines, and other essentials ready for the community in case a disaster strikes.

The drill also aims to improve the local governments and businesses' structural assessment of their properties and facilities so that there will be continuous operations of businesses and services for the people in the aftermath of a calamity.

Most importantly, the initiative also teaches people to be calm and composed in times of emergencies, especially since Makati is considered as the business hub of the country.

"It is highly probable that many of us could be at work during a disaster. With that, we must conduct continuous training and orientation for the employees to prepare them in case of disasters," Binay said.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), around 20 earthquakes are recorded per day in the country.

On July 27, a powerful magnitude-7 earthquake struck the province of Abra and shook nearby areas in Northern Luzon and Metro Manila which killed 11 people and injured 615 others.

Since the occurrence of earthquakes cannot be predicted, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) started earthquake drills in schools in 2002, which were later expanded to LGUs, to push for quake awareness and preparedness as experts have continuously warned against the possible effects of the so-called “Big One.”

The term "Big One" is associated with the worst possible scenario that may happen not only in the Greater Metro Manila Area but in every region or province that is vulnerable to high-magnitude earthquakes.