National Contingency Plan

The Harmonized National Contingency Plan is intended for the 7.2 magnitude earthquake scenario resulting from the movement of the West Valley Fault (WVF), which will not only affect Metro Manila but also the nearby regions of Central Luzon and CALABARZON.

The WVF scenario was derived from the results of the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) conducted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Metro Manila Development Authority, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency from August 2002 to March 2004.

According to the said study, there are 18 earthquake scenarios that may affect Metro Manila and its nearby vicinity.

The worst-case scenarios identified in the MMEIRS are Scenario 8, which is an earthquake generated by the WVF with a 7.2 magnitude that could lead to severe damage in Metro Manila, and Scenario 13, which is caused by the Manila trench with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake and the occurrence of a tsunami.

Updating is ‘very crucial’

Engr. Ver Neil Balaba, officer-in-charge of the Office of Civil Defense 7, said that updating the contingency plan is very crucial, especially in the event of ‘The Big One” in Manila.

“We have to gather all the members so that we can determine our positions, whom to call, what to bring, and whether we'll travel by sea or by airplane,” said Balaba.

“With the updating, we are able to know who will be the first, second, and third wave responders,” he added.

OCD reported that in case the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Emergency Operations Center in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, will be compromised, the RDRRMC7 will send a team to Clark, Pampanga to re-establish the alternate EOC.

Based on the MMEIRS and Metro Manila Earthquake Contingency Plan or ‘Oplan Metro Yakal Plus,’ Metro Manila is projected to be separated into four quadrants due to the collapse of roads, bridges, and transportation access, namely the north, south, east, and west quadrants.

RDRRMC7 was identified as the second wave responders of the north quadrant or Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and CALABARZON. 

Aside from the resources coming from the regional line agencies, there are LGUs here that volunteered to be the twin LGU of the affected LGUs.

For Central Luzon, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City volunteered to be the second wave responders.

For North 1 sector of Metro Manila, the provinces of Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Cebu will assist the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas, while in the North 2 sector of Metro Manila, the second wave responders for Quezon City will be from Cebu City and Mandaue City.

Balaba urged the national government agencies to also craft their own contingency plans. 

“If your offices have contingency plans already in place for ‘The Big One,’ the better. But I suggest each office do refresher trainings because what you might know about emergency response in 2015 will be different today,” said Balaba. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)