A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the southern Philippines early Monday night sending thousands of panic-stricken citizens to the streets.

While no injuries were reported, it sends a chilling reminder to everyone about the expected “Big One” to hit the National Capital Region of Metro Manila anytime soon.  Metro Manila after all sits on top of several Faults or Valley Fault Systems (VFS), some of which run right at the heart of the metropolis.

A study conducted jointly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)  in 2002 – 2004 showed that a rupture along the VFS could result in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, which could kill up to 33,000 people and injure more than 100,000 if adequate preparations are not made.

Metro Manila today comprises 13 cities and four municipalities with a total population going up by 2.5 times in the last 30 years to the present 10 million.

It is estimated that by 2015, about 25 million people will be living in this National Capital Region, including rapidly urbanized areas of Laguna, Cavite and Rizal Provinces.

As a result of rapid urbanization, reducing vulnerability to potential natural disaster, through raising awareness of people and organizations, developing a comprehensive disaster management plan and strengthening networks of national and local governments as well as communities, is crucial to safeguarding safety of those who live and operate in Metro Manila.

In and around Metro Manila, numerous earthquake sources exist, such as Valley Fault System (VFS), Philippine Faults, Lubang Faults, Manila Trench and Casiguran Faults. Among these, VFS, which transects the JICA Study area, is considered to cause the largest impact to Metro Manila area if it will become active.  Recent studies show that VFS has ruptured twice to four times in the last 1400 years with a return period being approximately less than 500 years.   And since no event of a major earthquake has been known along West Valley Fault since the 16th Century, active phases of the Valley Faults may be approaching.   Results of many researches indicate that an estimated magnitude will be around 7 or higher.

Citing history of the recent earthquakes’ sources, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology  (PhiVolcS) Chief Renato Sulidum, Jr. predicts that the VFS in and around Metro Manila are most likely to be active soon.

It must be highlighted that the recent quakes to hit Haiti and Chile measured 7.0 and 8.8 magnitude respectively, closely similar to the predicted Big One for Metro Manila.

Which now brings us to the all important question :  ARE WE READY FOR THE BIG ONE? 

Several Volunteer Organizations such as the MCFRVI have been continually discussing and plotting response scenarios, should the Big One hit, but the alarming reality is, basing from the response shown by the government from Typhoon Ketsana (a.k.a. Ondoy), WE ARE NOT READY!!!

Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire most likely will make it difficult to see.

Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.

Feel all doors before opening them. If a door is hot, get out another way.

Learn to stop, drop to the ground, roll if clothes catch fire.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista was proclaimed last Tuesday as the duly elected mayor in the recently concluded polls.

In a landslide victory, Bautista garnered 497,965 votes while his closest rival, Michael Defensor, obtained 126,246 votes. Mary Ann Susano, a former congresswoman, came in third with 68,035.

The chief of staff of the Vice Mayor said that the official’s track record was reason enough for residents to vote for him.

“The unblemished service and tangible programs of Bautista in government for the people of Quezon City, including the ground swell of support that we received, strengthen our faith that the people will bring us to a well-deserved mandate to continue serving as Quezon City’s new chief executive,” Aldrin Cuna, Bautista’s chief of staff, said.

The Officers and Members of the Metropolitan Composite Fire and Rescue Volunteers extends their utmost support and felicitations to the newly elected local executive who is also a staunch supporter of a fellow volunteer organization, the Central District Fire and Rescue Brigade, where Aldrin Cuna is Brigade President.

The Officers and Members of the Metropolitan Composite Fire and Rescue Volunteers, Inc. would like to extend our warmest gratitude to all mothers!!! 

Happy Mother’s day to all moms!!!  Thanks for making us what and who we, your children, are now!!!