The Taguig city government underscored the significance of disaster preparedness among health and special care institutions during the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill held on Thursday, June 19.
Taguig is among the cities identified as likely to be severely affected in the event of a major earthquake in the National Capital Region.
Key focus areas in the latest earthquake drill included the Taguig City General Hospital (TCGH) and the Yakap Center for Children with Disabilities—facilities that require specialized protocols to ensure the safety of patients and residents during emergencies.
“Earthquake drills are essential, especially in facilities where patients and children require guided assistance. These exercises help us identify gaps, improve response time, and strengthen our systems,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano.
Led by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the citywide drill tested evacuation procedures, casualty management, and emergency response protocols, particularly in high-risk, high-responsibility environments where lives depend on fast and coordinated actions.
At TCGH, 327 participants, comprising medical staff and support teams, practiced evacuation methods, casualty management, and continuity of care amid potential post-earthquake conditions.
Meanwhile, staff at the Yakap Center executed calm and coordinated evacuation protocols tailored to the needs of children with disabilities.
In the case of a 7.2 magnitude quake, the MMDA warned that most parts of Manila could either be destroyed by massive fires or swept away by 100-meter-tall tsunamis, resulting in a tragic loss of life and extensive destruction.
The MMDA references the earthquake damage scenarios outlined in the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), conducted by the government with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
According to MMEIRS, Manila is listed as one of the vulnerable areas in Metro Manila in the event of a nighttime 7.2 magnitude quake, with an estimated 6,200 fatalities and 21,000 injuries.
Other cities identified as vulnerable include Quezon City, with an estimated 5,800 deaths and 19,400 injuries, and Pasig City, which could face 3,400 deaths and 11,900 injuries.
The data also indicates that Quezon City will likely sustain the highest number of damaged residential buildings, with an estimated 26,900 houses affected, followed by Manila with 26,200, Pasig with 23,000, Muntinlupa with 13,500, and Taguig with 11,600 damaged homes.
