Getting ready for "The BIG ONE"

Six earthquakes in eight days.
In just under a month, the country has already encountered 6 major earthquakes

Concerns are being raised all around regarding "The Big One", a massive earthquake expected by seismologists to hit the Philippines anytime soon. It's expected to kill thousands.

It's important to keep in mind that earthquakes are a very destructive natural disaster; something unavoidable and could put your entire life, family, and home under a great deal of risk. But with the proper knowledge, you'll be able to prepare for the potential damage and injuries you could encounter once "The Big One" comes.
​

Skip to the important parts. 
Download our printable resources: “Things to bring for a Go-bag" and “Important things you should do in case of an earthquake”

Download

​What is The Big One?
First off, what do we know about "The Big One"?

According to Phivolcs director Renato Solidum, "The Big One" is a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that's to be generated by the West Valley Fault, a 100-km fault line that covers parts of Bulacan through Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila; San Pedro, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna; and Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang in Cavite.

The last major earthquake generated by this fault was 357 years ago, in 1658. With the fault moving roughly every 400 years, the fault is said to be "ripe" for movement.

According to a study funded by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) for Phivolcs and the MMDA back in 2004, the 7.2-magnitude earthquake could kill up to 34,000 people and injure 100,000 others due to collapsed buildings in highly urbanized areas like Metro Manila.

Getting ready for itFast forward to just this month, April 2017, we've already encountered six of the biggest earthquakes in just under a month.

• A 5.2 magnitude earthquake in Batangas on April 4
• 5.7, 5.9, and 5.0 magnitude earthquakes in and around Batangas on April 8
• A magnitude 6.1 earthquake southeast of General Santos on April 10
• And a 6.0 magnitude earthquake southwest of Lanao Del Sur on April 12

That's six earthquakes in eight days!

Fortunately, the government has been vigilant at making sure every city is ready.

Just last year, a metro-wide earthquake drill was organized by the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC).

The Metro Manila ShakeDrill, or #MMShakeDrill, simulated what would happen during the event an earthquake would occur. Sirens blared all around the metro and radio stations started broadcasting earthquake alerts, making sure everyone participated in the drill.

It is expected that more earthquake preparation programs will be conducted in the coming months.

How can I prepare for it?
While it may be hard to avoid the earthquake when it comes, there are still a couple things you could prepare. Preparemanila.org has a good list of things you should prepare ahead of time:

• Designate an out-of-town contact person. This should be someone who is unlikely to be affected by the same emergency and can communicate among relatives who may be separated. Make sure each member of your family knows this person’s contact details.
• Have backup copies of important documents and keep them in a separate location. These can include: passports, driver’s licenses, social security numbers, insurance details, and financial information.
• Make your home safe and minimize any potential hazards. This is especially important for earthquakes.
• Set meeting points. During the initial emergency, relatives may be caught at work and children may be at school. Locate at least two meeting points where family members should go if separated; one should be close to home and another should be out of town in case you need to evacuate Manila itself.
• Learn how to shut off utilities to your home. You may need to switch off your home’s electricity and water supply to avoid further damage after an earthquake or flood. Unlike some other countries, we do not have gas mains supply pipes in the Philippines. However, if you use LPG (liquid petroleum gas) tanks for cooking, be aware that these pose a substantial fire or explosion hazard.
• Put together emergency kits for each member of the family.
• A emergency plan card is a useful way to ensure that all your family members have the important elements of your plan with them at all times.

Things to add:

• Get fire insurance and include allied perils such as Earthquake, Typhoon and Flood perils. 
• Get a "go-bag" ready just in case you need to evacuate in a hurry. It should contain important things you need to survive in a span of 72 hours.​
  ​

Need a checklist?
Download our printable resources: “Things to bring for a Go-bag" and “Important things you should do in case of an earthquake”

Download

---

At this point, "The Big One" seems inevitable; it could come knocking at your door at any moment.
But when the time comes, will you be ready for it?