Metro Manila LGUs and CSOs getting ready for “The Big One”

May Kathleen Montenegro

Natural disasters increasingly present socio-economic and environmental risks to the Philippines. In 2013 alone, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol in October, and the strongest tropical cycle to ever hit the planet, typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, brought havoc to the Visayas in November.  While previous staggering disasters in the country devastated the island provinces affecting the regional member networks (MNs) of Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) the six national MNs based in Metro Manila: Association of Foundations (AF), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), National Council of Social Development (NCSD), Partnership of Philippine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA), and Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA, are not exempted from the threats of future calamities. In late September of 2009, the capital of the country proved itself vulnerable to disaster when Typhoon Ondoy brought an unusually high volume of rain causing several cities be submerged to extensive flooding.

Another disaster scenario that looms around the corner is when the metro is hit by “The Big One”. A possible 7.2 magnitude earthquake threatens to shake the ground of Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces in the event the West Valley Fault cracks. In this light, CODE-NGO’s national MNs, together with other partners in development around the National Capital Region, attended a scenario-setting activity entitled, “WHEN “THE BIG ONE” HITS METRO MANILA: Preparing for the 7.2 Magnitude West Valley Fault Earthquake that Could Hit Metro Manila in our Lifetime” last August 26, 2014 at the Ateneo De Manila University.  CODE-NGO, through the Advancing CSOs Engagement in DRR-CCA (ACED) Project, recognizes the importance of close coordination between the Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) and CODE-NGO’s national member networks and partner organizations when disaster strikes. The scenario setting activity aims to prepare both the Metro Manila LGUs and CSOs for the “The Big One”.

Resource speakers from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) of Manila and Quezon City, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shared the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), the development and implementation of priority disaster/climate risk mitigation, and the local contingency and DRRM plans of Manila and Quezon City. This helped to better understand the risks that “The Big One” may bring to organizations and communities and the preparations being done by the government to be able to prepare against the destructive impact of the disaster. 

Metro Manila has a substantial share of seismic ad extreme climate variability risks as confirmed by the MMEIRS and Risk Analysis Project. It has at least six earthquake generators in the vicinity, as well as a coast to the west. It is prone to tsunamis – especially in bay areas. According to Mr. Ramon Santiago of MMDA, in the event that a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila, the following are possible impacts to lifelines: possible severe damage or collapse of 7 bridges and 2 flyovers, break of water piplelines at 4000 points of connection, risk to Angat Dam and Main Transmission Pipe from Ipo Dam to La Mesa Dam, 30 km break of power lines, 95 km break of telecommunication lines, and lastly, death and injury of 33,500 and 113,600 individuals, respectively.

Given these adverse impacts, Ms. Ma. Lynn Melosantos of PHIVOLCS pointed out that it is essential to have a DRRM plan for the metro in anticipation of “The Big One”. She added that DRRM actions should involve: (1) preparedness (in order to save lives) & mitigation (as counter measures); (2) response & recovery; (3) hazards identification (4) hazards assessment (What is the magnitude of the event, and which areas may be affected?); (5) risk assessment; and (6) impact/damage scenario or “disaster imagination”.

Fortunately, LGUs of Manila and Quezon City had already anticipated the “The Big One” in their local contingency and DRRM plans. For instance, QCDRRMC through its Task Force West Valley Fault (WVF) conduct capacity building like the Earthquake Landslide Search And Rescue Orientation Course (ELSAROC) for barangays transected by the fault. On the other hand, retrofitting, repairing and strengthening houses and public buildings through the application of earthquake-resistant technology are part of the action planning of MDRRMC. Furthermore, all the 17 Metro Manila LGUs are mandated to have an individual and integrated earthquake contingency plans.

Aside from the LGUs, OCD and MMDA have also prepared interventions and plans for possible earthquake scenarios in the metro. Mr. Chito Pampanga of OCD mentioned about the establishment of two sites for tsunami Community-Based Early Warning System in Metro Manila. MMDA had eight (8) Disaster Response Equipment and Tools Field Storage Units (DRETFSU) prepositioned around the metro as an earthquake disaster response system. And in their Oplan “Metro Yakal”, MMDA had pre-deployed resources, prioritized, pre-identified major road network evacuation sites and staging areas, alternate routes to key facilities, preparatory activities e.g. training, capacity-building, drills as preparations for “The Big One”.  However, the government cannot do all the preparations alone. Just like what the Manila LDRRM officer said, there is a need to strengthen the partnership with the LGUs, national agencies, non-government organizations and communities as they prepare for “The Big One”.

To understand and establish partnership and coordination mechanisms between and among LGUs and the local CSOs present in the activity, a workshop followed the forum, where the participants were grouped into four (4) clusters: two clusters for Quezon City, 1 for Manila, and 1 for outside Manila and Quezon City. The clusters were asked to identify their respective institutional gaps and action plans as they prepare for a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

Mr. Benedict Balderrama of PHILSSA presented the highlights of the discussions, which are: (1) Metro Manila LGUs should map out CSOs to coordinate DRR efforts (engaging them in risk assessment and in disaster preparedness up to recovery activities, participating in city planning by launching information education and communication (IEC ) campaigns, and involving themselves in capacity-building), (2) every office must be prepared in terms of policies, structure, resources, and functional knowledge for DRR and plans must be harmonized with those of their barangay as well as their city, (3) information must be shared through communicating risks, and awareness building must be performed, and (4) inter-network cooperation must exist in order to address the needs of NGOs.

If both CSOs and LGUs continue to worktogether to anticipate “The Big One”, and similar hazards and calamities, a more disaster-resilient Metro Manila is now even more possible.

May Kathleen Montenegro is the Capacity Building Officer of the CODE-NGO’s Advancing CSO Engagement in DRRM-CCA (ACED) Project.