SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said that what happened in Japan should serve as an eye-opener for all to be prepared at all times and to have some contingency plan in hand for emergencies.
In view of this, Arreza said that the agency, through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SDRRMC), has started conducting earthquake safety drills (ESD) last week, initially among occupants of Buildings 229 and 225 which house 322 SBMA employees.
SDRRMC trainer Chris Vanta said that according to recent studies, should an 8.0 magnitude earthquake occur with an epicenter located near Subic Bay, a tsunami might be triggered and could be expected to reach the shore within 15-20 minutes at a speed of about 50 kilometers per hour.
“The drill will orient the occupants of these buildings on what to do before, during and after an earthquake, to avoid panic and injury in the event of an actual earthquake and the possibility of a tsunami alert,” he said.
Vanta said they have also invited disaster management experts from other government line agencies as observers to evaluate and correct any weakness of the SBMA’s emergency preparedness program.
Meanwhile, SBMA fire chief Rannie Magno said that there is a misconception that in the Philippines, Filipinos are not prepared for disasters and emergencies.
“We are prepared because we have the technical know-how,” said Magno, who is also chief of the SBMA Fire and Rescue Team.
However, Magno stressed that “we still need tools, equipment, and more updated trainings on what to do before and after disasters.”
Magno, who joined the Philippine team in the recent recovery mission in Japan, observed that the Japanese were prepared for emergencies, but still needed to enhance their emergency notification system.
He said that based on information gathered from Filipinos they evacuated in Sendai, Japan, not everyone responded promptly after the tsunami alert was sounded.
“This (higher level of awareness) is what we have to achieve during the drill,” Magno said. “After an earthquake, we have to consider that a tsunami may follow. We should be prepared to move to higher ground within 15 minutes.”
SBMA intensifies emergency preparedness program
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT –The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has started conducting earthquakes drills among its various departments as a continuing effort to enhance the preparedness of its employees for emergency situations.
