The Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MCDRRMC), chaired by Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, passed a resolution requiring all public elementary and high schools—as well as city universities Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and Universidad de Manila (UdM)—to conduct earthquake simulation exercises once a month during the school year.
Domagoso moved for the resolution during the council’s recent meeting, citing the threat posed by “The Big One” to Metro Manila and the need to build muscle memory among students, particularly younger ones.
“There’s still a threat in Metro Manila with regard to ‘The Big One’,” the mayor said.
“We create some level of muscle memory for our students.”
“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,” he added.
The drills do not need to be conducted simultaneously across all 104 schools—each school may choose its own date within the month, as long as the exercise is held during school hours.
The drills do not need to be conducted simultaneously across all 104 schools—each school may choose its own date within the month.
The resolution directs the Schools Division Superintendent of Manila, Dr. Sheryll Gayola, to be furnished a copy for proper guidance and implementation.
Domagoso also called on the council’s national agency partners to assist in the conduct of simulation exercises, including the testing of new equipment such as the city’s heat-seeking drone.
Separately, he said inspections of old school buildings and government structures have been ongoing since Monday, with reports to be submitted to Manila CDRRM Department chief Arnel Angeles for evaluation, while Manila remains on standby should assistance be needed by affected agencies in Mindanao.
