SM Supermalls within Metro Manila will be participating at The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Metro-Wide Quake Drill together with other multi-sector cooperation from schools, business, government agencies, and religious organizations. The Earthquake and evacuation drill will increase the metro’s chances of better recovery and implementation of contingencies in the event of earthquakes.
The “shake drill” or the metro-wide earthquake simulation is set for one hour on July 30, 2015, at 10:30 including all SM branches within Metro Manila. A "collapsed building scenario" will also be simulated in SM Megamall.
The MMDA is urging the public to actively participate in the metro-wide earthquake drill that would involve the playing of different quake-related scenarios for the first five minutes of the hour-long drill.
Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the 100-kilometer long West Valley Fault system, which passes through various cities and provinces, including Bulacan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna, could trigger the 7.2-magnitude quake.
The importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency is key across SM’s operations, from its management down to the employees and mall frontliners.
Here some safety tips for commercial establishments during an earthquake:
AWARENESS: When entering a mall, be observant, look above and around you.
- Watch out for anything that might fall, break or collapse.
- Be aware of the evacuation plan including the location of emergency exits and open areas
RESPONSE: When a strong EARTHQUAKE occurs:
- Immediately DROP to the ground or floor where you are – before the shaking knocks you down.
- Take COVER by protecting your head and neck with your arms, shield your head with whatever you are carrying.
- HOLD ON to something sturdy like table or chair and prevent these objects from crushing you.
- Move slowly and determine a place to stay away from falling objects, electric lines and other materials.
- Stay out of the way of the crowd to avoid pushing and trampling.
EVACUATION:
When the shaking stops, calmly move to a safer area, following the earthquake evacuation and response plan.
COMMUNICATION:
In case someone you know is missing or injured, immediately report the incident to the security personnel or the manager of the establishment.
For emergencies: You may call these hotlines.
MMDA Metro Call: 136
Red Cross Philippines: 143
Phil. National Police:117
Office of Civil Defense: 9132786/ 4211918
Northern Luzon Command: 4168686
Bureau of Fire Protection: 426-0219/ 4268312 / 4260246
