Manila, Philippines — Kudos to everyone involved in conducting the metrowide earthquake drill today. This is a worthwhile initiative by the government, in collaboration with private institutions and the public. Last Tuesday at SanLo, the drill allowed everyone in school to be more aware of what to do (dock, cover, hold; then, run towards safest and nearest possible ground right after the shake) and lessen the possibility of panic, injury, or even death.

I hope today’s technological breakthroughs can be utilized for further enhancement of emergency systems nationwide, most prominently the conversion of TV and radio stations’ broadcast into digital — which I believe would make it easier to have confirmed national and local government announcements of emergencies including crucial typhoon, flood, fire, and earthquake warnings — just like how it is practiced in the US. In an emergency case, regular programming will be replaced by unified local or national government warning.

In connection with this, the country should have a standard SMS number to text and inform local government rescue teams (like 911 less the person/dispatcher), since I think it’s a more practical and second best option to get in touch if the need for rescue arises. And for practicality as well, have this SMS number instantly activated only, for the mean time while we await to become a more developed country, after an official emergency warning is implemented.

Also, may we request any of the Public Information Offices of the country or whoever should be in-charge to provide an official infographic and list/guide of what the public needs to do in case of emergencies — each document easy to read and categorized into the type of emergency including fire, rain/flood, and earthquake. A standard, easy-to-remember, and go-to government website (.ph) where all these will be accessible should be properly disseminated to the entire country.