Manila orders monthly earthquake drills in public schools
The Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MCDRRMC) has approved a resolution requiring all public schools in the city to conduct monthly earthquake simulation drills during the school year.
The measure, pushed by Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso during the council’s meeting on June 10, covers public elementary and high schools, as well as city-run universities Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Universidad de Manila (UdM).
Domagoso said the initiative aims to prepare students for a possible major earthquake, often referred to as “The Big One,” by developing familiarity and response habits through regular drills.
“There's still a threat in Metro Manila with regard to ‘The Big One,’” the mayor said.
“If we create some level of muscle memory for our students, especially yung mga bagong mag-aaral, Grade 1, Kinder, kailangan lang maging pamilyar sila na merong ganung activity every month (new students, Grade 1, Kindergarten, just need to become familiar that there is such an activity every month),” he added.
Under the resolution, schools are not required to conduct drills simultaneously and may schedule them on different dates within each month, provided they are held during school hours.
The Schools Division Superintendent of Manila, Dr. Sheryll T. Gayola, will be furnished a copy of the resolution to guide its implementation.
The mayor also urged national government agencies to support the program, including assisting in simulation exercises and testing new emergency response equipment, such as the city’s heat-seeking drone.
Separately, Domagoso said inspections of aging school buildings and government structures have been ongoing since Monday, with the findings to be submitted to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, Arnel Angeles, for evaluation.
He added that Manila remains on standby to assist in areas in Mindanao that may require support.