MMDA to halt EDSA traffic during MMShakeDrill this June

Last year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held its 1st metro-wide earthquake drill in preparation for a worst case scenario disaster. Following up on its success, the agency decided to hold its 2nd MMShakeDrill this June 22, 2016.

The MMShakeDrill will simulate events that could happen if a magnitude 7.2 earthquake were to hit the city. In this case, they’re testing the effectiveness of Oplan Metro Yakal Plus, the government’s disaster contingency plan, if the Guadalupe Bridge along EDSA falls down.

This will happen at the same time as the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at around 9:00 am. Traffic along the outermost northbound lane of EDSA is expected to be at a standstill for approximately an hour.

With the success of the first Metro Manila Shake Drill last year, we would like to challenge ourselves to do better and be better prepared in the event of a catastrophic earthquake,” said MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos. “So this early, we are appealing to motorists and the riding public to please bear with us. This drill is meant to save lives in the event of the ‘Big One’.”

According to Carlos, the MMDA permanently install 20-foot container vans in the 4 quadrants of Metro Manila. These will act as command and control centers, which will be manned 24/7, will facilitate the deployment of resources and rescue personnel. Each van will contain medicines, extraction equipment, tents, and other materials needed for rescue and emergency response.

The East command center is located at the LRT-2 train depot in Santolan, Pasig City; the West Quadrant at the Intramuros Golf Course in Manila. Meanwhile, the North Quadrant is located at the Veteran’s Memorial Center in Quezon City and the South Quadrant at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

The MMDA Chief reiterated that the quadrants ARE NOT evacuation sites. Instead, those participating in the drill should help identify open spaces safe enough to set up camps.