San Manuel is pilot site for nationwide earthquake drill
SAN MANUEL– The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will pilot a nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill here with a scripted scenario of a possible overtopping and seepage of the San Roque Dam.
Regional Director Melchito Castro of the Office of Civil Defense said the drill scheduled on June 10 aims to see the preparation and capabilities of different government agencies and local government units in the worst case scenario.
It will also be held to disseminate informative and preventive precautionary measures during man-made and natural disasters as well as to develop the bayanihan spirit within the communities.
“The Secretary (Voltaire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense) wants to see how prepared Region I is in times of disasters particularly earthquake and flooding. He wants to see the assets of the province and the region and the people who will be responsible during calamities,” Castro said.
Tom Valdez, vice president for corporate social responsibility of the San Roque Power Corporation, said if a powerful earthquake occurs in the worst case scenario and causes the dam to break, at least 32 municipalities in Pangasinan would be affected.
He was quick to clarify, however, that the San Roque dam would not break easily as it was built to withstand strong earthquakes.
“We don’t want to mis-inform people that when a quake happens, the dam would break. Hindi po. Even with a 7.2 or 7.5 magnitude, nothing will happen to the dam. This is just for the purpose of the drill,” Valdez explained.
Col. Fernando De Guzman, head of the Pangasinan DRRMC, said in case of overtopping or seepage in the dam, the first town to be affected is San Manuel where the dam is located, which is why it was chosen as the ceremonial venue for the nationwide drill.
THREE SCENARIOS
De Guzman noted that there are three types of scenarios in case of a dam break caused by a strong quake.
First is the short term scenario where there is no time to prepare and people are advised to immediately evacuate and seek higher ground. Towns affected here include San Manuel, Asingan, San Nicolas, Rosales, Tayug, Sta. Maria and Urdaneta City.
Second is the medium term scenario with little time to prepare but could still conduct the ‘duck cover and hold’ practice. Local governments here include those in the mid-stream areas like Dagupan City, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara and nearby municipalities.
The long term scenario means having sufficient time to prepare and evacuate. The areas involved here are the towns located downstream such as Lingayen, Manaoag and nearby municipalities.
The pilot drill will be conducted in Barangay San Vicente with Gazmin and other dignitaries expected to attend. (PIA1-Pangasinan/VHS)
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