List of Evacuation Centers in Case of a Mega-Quake

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a 7.2 magnitude earthquake may still hit the country anytime. As part of the government’s preparation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has identified evacuation camps across the metro.

The massive quake is expected to hit the West Valley Fault (WVF). The 100-kilometer-long fault passes through various cities and provinces which include Bulacan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.

The MMDA has divided Metro Manila into four quadrants to speed up the evacuation of residents and the rescue operations:

North

• Caloocan
• Valenzuela
• Quezon City
• San Juan
• Mandaluyong City

East

• Pasig
• Marikina

West

• Manila
• Malabon
• Navotas

South

• Las Piñas
• Makati
• Muntinlupa
• Parañaque
• Pateros
• Taguig
• Pasay

Operation centers and staging areas which also serve as evacuation camps for affected residents were also designated by the MMDA:

North

• Veterans Memorial Golf Course
• University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman

East

• LRT-2 Santolan Depot
• Marikina Boys Town
• Red Cross Marikina
• Ultra Pasig

West

• Intramuros Golf Course

South

• Villamor Air Base Golf Course

The MMDA said that the Local Government Units (LGU) will also designate athletic fields, sports arenas, memorial parks, churches, and gyms which will also be used as additional evacuation centers.

Preparation is truly essential. Thus, you should have the right knowledge about the things that you need to do before the inevitable mega-quake occurs.

Here are the things you should do before the earthquake:

1. Have a Plan

Find out how you can protect yourself and even help others survive. You can practice the ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ technique – drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, then hold on. If you are living with your family, have a family emergency communication plan. You can inform your relatives where you can meet with one another after the earthquake happened. Take note of all the necessary things that you need to know and have, and be mindful about the safety measures that you should follow.

2. Communicate With Your Community

Communicate and work with your neighbors and authorities. Ask them about ways that could possibly help you survive. If you have experts in natural disasters in your community, you can directly go to them for guidelines. Ask them about the evacuation centers that you can go to. It is best if you can get their number so you can contact them easily.

3. Prepare Thoroughly

Preparation includes securing disaster supplies in advance such as flashlights with extra batteries, food and water supplies, medicines, and mobile phones. However, you should know when and how you can use them when the calamity strikes.

4. Learn First Aid

No one knows what would actually happen during and after an earthquake. It is better to have an idea on how to do first aid. 

As what many people say, prevention is truly better than cure. Applying this in the context of preparing for the possible mega-quake, you should have the proper knowledge about the important things you need to know about and do in order to minimize the hazard the natural calamity might bring.

Take note of the location of your property for you to have an appropriate estimation on how you preparing. If you are living in a condominium, you should ask the management if they have guidelines which residents should take note of.

Are you living on or near the fault line? How are you preparing? Share it with us in the comments section.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Cover photo source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_9757.jpg