Manila gov't ready for calamities, 'The Big One' - Mayor Isko
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso. (Photo from Manila PIO)
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso has assured that the city government has adequate facilities, professionals, and capacity in terms of transportation, medicines, and supplies in case the "Big One" strikes.
"So, sa facility, meron, professionals, meron, capacity in terms of transport, meron, gamot, na-stabilize na natin ang mga supplies (We have adequate facilities, professionals, transport capacity, medicines, and other supplies)," Domagoso said.
He added that the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO) headed by Director Arnel Angeles is ready for earthquakes and other calamities.
Domagoso ordered the city's offices to immediately conduct disaster preparedness exercises and simulations amid the successive earthquakes being felt across the country and in preparation for the extremely devastating "Big One" tremor which can happen anytime.
"To all department heads, this is now a directive, that in any given day from today onwards, you must conduct exercises. At any given hour, it doesn't have to be all of us at once. Even per department is fine, so as not to disrupt services. Kailangan nating maghanda (We should all be ready)," Domagoso said.
Despite admitting that he has no way of determining how much damage and destruction "The Big One" would cause once it strikes, the mayor stressed that the city continues to boost its capabilities in preparing for the disaster.
Aside from regular earthquake and disaster preparedness exercises and simulations, including a massive drill which will soon be conducted in all 896 barangays of Manila, the city also started the distribution of Emergency Go Bags to Manileño public school students and teachers.
According to the MCDRRMO, each Go Bag contains essential first aid items, personal protection gear, emergency food and hydration packs, multi-functional tools, and lighting and emergency communication equipment to help people survive when disaster strikes.
Disaster preparedness seminars and forums are also regularly conducted to educate Manileños on ways of protecting themselves during calamities, as well as teach them the locations of the different evacuation and triage sites set up across the city.