Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 79)
Under Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has jurisdiction, as provided under Republic Act No. 7924.
Executive Order No. 137 declared July every year as National Disaster Consciousness Month and institutionalized the Civil Defense Deputization Program to support disaster awareness campaigns and programs.
The West Valley Fault Line is considered ripe for movement and may cause earthquakes up to magnitude 7.2, posing a significant risk to cities and towns in Metro Manila.
All heads of government departments, bureaus, offices including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations, Local Government Units (LGUs), and the private sector including volunteer and civic organizations are encouraged to participate.
They may exempt officials and employees involved in disaster risk reduction efforts from observing regular office hours and from performing their duties during the drill, without prejudicing the regular and efficient delivery of government services.
The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by the Chairperson of the MMDA, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Planning and implementing the synchronized earthquake drill; preparing a schedule of activities; coordinating drill initiatives among LGUs; submitting reports on implementation and evaluation; and performing other functions consistent with the circular.
All orders, rules, regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Circular are repealed and/or modified accordingly.
The Separability Clause, which states that if any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other unaffected provisions remain valid and subsisting.