MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Council (MMDRRMC) and its Technical Working Group (TWG) has convened to refine the region’s earthquake contingency strategies, consulting with member agencies on updates to the Metro Manila Contingency Plan for Earthquake.

Metro Manila disaster agencies expand response areas in preparation for 'Big One'

The move comes as authorities prepare for the potential impact of the so-called “Big One,” a feared 7.2-magnitude earthquake from the West Valley Fault.

In a meeting on Friday, the officials said the revised Oplan ‘Metro Yakal Plus’ will divide the capital region into six response sectors, up from the original four. This restructuring, they said, aimed to make deployment of resources faster and more efficient during an emergency, while also establishing designated staging areas for relief and rescue operations.

Under the new configuration, North 1 will cover Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela, while North 2 will focus on Quezon City. The East cluster will be composed of Pasig and Marikina, and the West cluster will include Manila, Mandaluyong, and San Juan. South 1 will cover Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, and Pasay, while South 2 will include Makati, Taguig, and Pateros.

The MMDRRMC said that response plans were tailored for each sector, covering both the expected impact of the West Valley Fault and other hazards from nearby active fault lines such as the Manila Trench. These scenarios, the council said, were carefully studied to ensure that response actions will remain realistic and achievable during a large-scale disaster.

Beyond the technical planning, the meeting also highlighted the importance of inter-agency coordination. Representatives from various agencies signed a pledge of commitment, underscoring their shared responsibility to strengthen preparedness, resilience, and disaster readiness across Metro Manila.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which heads the MMDRRMC, is expected to take a central role in traffic management, logistics support, and coordination during any large-scale emergency, ensuring that responders and relief supplies can move quickly even under severe disruption.

Metro Manila disaster agencies expand response areas in preparation for 'Big One', This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com