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Friday, March 29, 2024

If mega-quake hits, golf courses on tap

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In case a powerful earthquake hits the National Capital Region, the government will use at least three golf courses  as evacuation centers in the National Capital Region.

The Villamor Golf Club in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Intramuros Golf Club in Manila and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Golf Club in Quezon City were identified by the Metro Manila Development Authority as evacuation centers in preparation for the “big one.”

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the golf clubs will also be used as  relief distribution hub, trauma centers, mobile hospitals, training and command post based on the agreement made by the agency and the management of the golf courses.

The MMDA also designated other private establishments and public institutions as operation centers to assist affected residents. These are University of the Philippines (UP) Campus in Diliman, Quezon City; Light Rail Transit depot in Santolan, Pasig City; Marikina Boys Town, Marikina Red Cross and the University of Life Arena, also in Pasig City.

MMDA officials said the Pasig River will also serve as an alternate route for rescue and relief personnel in case bridges are destroyed.

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier warned the public of a massive quake if the Valley Fault System moves. The system is comprised of the 10-kilometer East Valley Fault in Rizal, and the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault, which passes through six Metro Manila cities and parts of the Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces.

The warning came following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25.

The MMDA is closely coordinating with Phivolcs to make an assessment and impact study to mitigate damages in the event a major earthquake occurs.

The earthquake in Nepal has roused the Philippine government to prepare for the country’s “Big One” – a phrase used to describe the gigantic earthquake.

A study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency showed that Metro Manila would crumble if it is hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

The study stated that Metro Manila is not prepared to deal with a 7.2 magnitude quake in terms of existing resources and given the old building structures around an within the metropolis.

In its official website, the MMDA came up with safety tips and “What to do BEFORE, DURING and AFTER Earthquake.

Before Earthquake — 

1. The key to effective Disaster prevention is planning

– Determine whether the site is along an active fault and/or prone to liquefaction or landslide which may cause damage to your house

– Be sure that proper structural design and engineering practice is followed when constructing a house or building.

– Evaluate the structural soundness of buildings and important infrastructure; strengthen or retrofit if found necessary.

2. Familiarize yourself with your place of work and residence.

– Identify relatively strong parts of the building like door jambs, near elevator shafts, sturdy , tables where you can take refuge during an earthquake.

– Learn to use fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms and emergency exit. These should be accessible/conveniently located, and prominently marked.

3. Prepare your place of work and residence for the event.

– Strap heavy furniture/cabinets to the wall to prevent sliding or toppling.

– Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable materials should be stored in the lowermost shelves and secured firmly.

– Make it habit to turn of gas tanks when not in use.

4. Most causes of injuries during earthquake are from falling objects.

– Heavy materials should be kept in lower shelves.

– Check the stability of hanging objects which may break loose and fall during earthquakes.

– Prepare and maintain an earthquake survival kit consisting of battery powered radio, flashlight, first aid kit, potable water, candies, ready-to-eat food, whistle and dust mask.

During an Earthquake — 

1. If you are inside a structurally sound building, stay there.

– Protect your bodies from falling debris by bracing yourself in doorway or by getting under a sturdy desk or table.

2. If you are outside, move to an open area.

– Get away from power lines, posts, walls and other structures that may fall or collapse.

– Stay away from buildings with glass panes.

– If you are on a mountain or near steep hill slope, move away from steep escarpments which may be affected by landslide.

3. When driving a vehicle, pull to the side of the road and stop.

– Do not attempt to cross bridges or overpass which may have been damaged.

– If you are along the shore and you feel a very strong earthquake, strong enough to make standing difficult, it is always safest to assume that tsunami (giant sea waves) has been triggered. Run away from the shore toward higher ground.

– Make it habit to turn of gas tanks when not in use. 

After an Earthquake — 

1. If you are inside an old, weak structure, take the fastest and safest away out! 

– Do not rush to the exit; get out calmly in an orderly manner.

– Do not use elevators, use the stairs.

– Check yourself and others for injuries. 

2. Help reduce the number of casualties from the earthquake. 

– Don’t enter partially damage buildings; strong aftershocks may cause these collapse

– Gather information and disaster prevention instructions from battery-operated radios.

– Obey public safety precaution. 

3. Check your Surroundings. 

– Clean-up chemical spills, toxic and flammable materials to avoid any chain of unwanted events.

– Check for fire and if any, have it controlled.

– Check your water and electrical lines for defects, if any damage is suspected, turn the system off in the main valve or switch. 

4. Unless you need emergency help,: 

– Do not use your telephone to call relatives and friends. Disaster prevention authorities may need the line for emergency communication.

– Do not use your car and drive around areas of damage, rescue and relief operations need the roads for mobility.

5. If you must evacuate your residence, leave a message stating where you are going.

– Take with you your earthquake survival kit, which should contain all necessary items for your protection and comforts.

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