Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Wednesday (July 29) a busy day for barangays East Rembo in Makati and North Signal Village in Taguig.
Both barangays are traversed by the West Valley Fault — putting their neighborhoods at risk if a major earthquake strikes.
At Barangay East Rembo, newly purchased tents and spine boards are stacked in one corner of the barangay hall.
Officials say these were bought just in time for tomorrow’s Metro Manila wide earthquake drill.
Residents were also informed about the drill and told what to do in case a real earthquake strikes.
The barangay’s public address system is strategically placed around the barangay’s 6 sitios.
“[Ang] siren means eto yung start ng one minute continuous ground shaking. For purpose of drill gamitin etong sirena for one minute,” explained East Rembo Barangay Captain Art Contreras.
Contreras said the challenge for residents in Makati is the lack of open spaces.
East Rembo has created a hazard map, identifying possible temporary holding areas that will be set up along C5 and Kalayaan Road — these are the only open spaces large enough to accommodate East Rembo’s population of 30,000.
At the neighboring barangay North Signal Village, officials tested their early warning device and conducted a small earthquake drill.
This early warning device is the barangay’s only piece of equipment for use in case of an earthquake. The 33,000 households living in North Signal Village will have to rely on this. Officials said that they don’t have the funds to buy more equipment.
“[Ang] barangay namin wala IRA [Internal Revenue Allotment]. Kaya hindi [kami] makabili agad ng gamit. Nagbigay ng aid si Mayor [Lani Cayetano]. Pang gastusin dito,” said North Signal Village Barangay Captain Jesus Pullente.
Barangay North Signal Village, along with Barangays South Signal, Katuparan, and Pinagsama used to be part of Barangay Signal until April 2009.
Then city officials decided to break Barangay Signal into smaller barangays to better manage its population.
Budgets for these newly created barangays have yet to be approved by legislators.
But Barangay North Signal Village tries to do its best despite limited funds. The barangay has designated open courts where residents can run to, should an earthquake strike.
It is also giving out emergency earthquake instructions to residents, especially those living along the fault line.
Barangay officials have been briefed on what to do once an earthquake strikes: sweep the place and secure its residents.
