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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Thousands join city-wide earthquake drill in Marikina

Thousands join city-wide earthquake drill in Marikina

Published Oct 20, 2025 11:18 am

More than 150,000 individuals participated in a city-wide earthquake drill in Marikina City on Monday, Oct. 20, to ensure the city government and the public's readiness during disasters, particularly the long-anticipated magnitude 7.2 quake that may hit Metro Manila anytime, dubbed as "The Big One." 

Students are seen participating in the city-wide earthquake simulation drill at the Marikina Freedom Park on Monday, Oct. 20. (Photo from Marikina LGU)
Students are seen participating in the city-wide earthquake simulation drill at the Marikina Freedom Park on Monday, Oct. 20. (Photo from Marikina LGU)

Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro led the simulation by first inspecting the search and rescue tools and equipment of Marikina, including a vibroscope used for observing and tracing vibrations to trace trapped victims. 

She also checked the city’s assets to be used in the event of a disaster, such as ambulances, fire trucks, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) vehicles, as well as the Command Posts and Field Hospitals that will be set up.

As the alarm marking the start of the simulation rang, students and school staff of learning institutions in Marikina, as well as employees of city government offices, private businesses, and households, took part in the exercise aimed at strengthening community-building and resilience among the people.

Teodoro said approximately 100,000 individuals joined from schools, and an additional 50,000 participants represented communities and the private sector.

”Ang kaligtasan ng lahat ay tungkulin ng bawat isa. Dapat lagi tayong sama-sama at tulong-tulong at buong komunidad. Ito ang tinatawag natin na 'whole-of-community approach' sa iisang layunin—alagaan ang buhay at kaligtasan ng bawat taga-Marikina (The safety of all is everyone's responsibility. We must always be together and help each other and the entire community. This is what we call a 'whole-of-community approach' with a single goal—to care for the life and safety of every Marikina resident)," Teodoro noted.

She also underscored the importance of regularly conducting disaster preparedness drills as these do not only inform the people of what to do in times of calamities but also help instill a sense of urgency, discipline, and cooperation among the people.

“Ginagawa natin ang mga paghahandang ito hindi para manakot, kundi upang maging handa. We can never be ready enough, ngunit tungkulin nating gawin ang lahat ng ating makakaya (“We are making these preparations not to intimidate, but to be ready. We can never be ready enough, but it is our duty to do everything we can)," the mayor emphasized.

"Ang number one priority ng lokal na pamahalaan ay ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng lahat ng taga-Marikina. Every year naman tayong nagsasagawa ng mga earthquake drill sa pamahalaang lungsod, at mga paaralan. Pero dahil sa sunod-sunod na earthquakes na nararamdaman sa bansa, mahalagang mas lalo pang palakasin ang kultura ng kahandaan, disiplina, at pagtutulungan ng mga komunidad sa oras ng sakuna (The number one priority of the local government is the safety and well-being of all Marikina residents. Every year, we conduct earthquake drills in the city government and schools. But with the series of earthquakes that have been felt in the country, it is important to further strengthen the culture of preparedness, discipline, and cooperation among communities in times of disaster)," she stressed.

Safe zones identified

Meanwhile, the Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) had earlier identified safe zones in the city in case of disasters and calamities:

District 1:

Brgy. Barangka - UBB-FVR Road, Barangka Baseball Field, Loyola Cemetery

Brgy. IVC - C5 Access Road corner E. Abello, Major Dizon Road

Brgy. Jesus Dela Peña - Manila Bay, Provident Riverside

Brgy. Kalumpang - Ground Golf Area, Barangay Hall Grounds

Brgy. Malanday - Golden Valley Open Space, Park Land Open Space

Brgy. Sta. Elena - River Park, Freedom Park, Plaza delos Alcaldez, SNR Access Road

Brgy. San Roque - Chestnut Open Space; Midtown Phase 1, 2, 3 Open Space; San Roque Elementary School Open Space

Brgy. Sto. Niño - Sto. Niño Baseball Field, Federal Land Open Space, Marikina Sports Park, Robinsons Open Space, Gil Fernando Highway, Homeowners Drive corner JP Rizal Open Space

Brgy. Tañong - Provident River Side, Loyola Cemetery

District 2:

Brgy. Concepcion Uno - Trevi Open Space, Bayan Bayanan Avenue, Soliven Street Greenheights

Brgy. Concepcion Dos - Marikina Hotel, Katipunan Street; Rancho Estates 1, 2, 3, 4 Open Space

Brgy. Fortune - Red Cross Open Grounds, Boys Town Open Grounds

Brgy. Marikina Heights - Liwasang Kalayaan, Marist Open Space, St. Scholastica’s Academy Inside Parking Space

Brgy. Parang - Parang Play Grounds, Parang Elementary School Open Grounds

Brgy. Tumana - Farmers I, Iwahig, Woodrich Village Open Space, LGV Open Space

Brgy. Nangka - St. Mary Open Space, Bagong Sibol Open Space, Kabayani Road

Marikina CDRRMO Chief Dave David said that the safe zones identified by their office are merely general areas that the public can access when an earthquake hits. 

However, residents are urged to identify other safe zones that are nearer to their places of residence.

Related Tags

Earthquake drill the big one marikina city cdrrmo maan teodoro disasters calamities metro news
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