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Advocates Philippines
Meralco Steps Up Safety Game In Big Earthquake Drill
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Meralco is stepping up its disaster preparedness in a big way. More than 3,000 employees, contractors, and partners took part in a full-scale earthquake drill as part of the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill led by the NDRRMC.
Held at the Meralco Operating Center in Pasig City, the simulation tested how the company would respond if a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit along the West Valley Fault — the exact scenario experts have long warned Metro Manila to prepare for.
Realistic, no-prep drill
Unlike previous exercises, this was Meralco’s first full-scale drill without pre-positioned resources, making it feel closer to a real emergency. The teams had to think fast and move quickly as they dealt with:
• High-angle rescue operations
• Fire suppression
• Mass casualty triage
• Collapsed structure rescue
Meralco’s Business Continuity Management team pushed responders to go beyond the standard “duck, cover, and hold.” They assessed structural damage, activated business continuity plans, and set up key emergency facilities including an incident command post, emergency operations center, field hospital, mobile kitchen, and evacuation center.
They also tested communication back-ups by coordinating with NGCP and internal teams using satellite phones and improvised workspaces — the kind of systems that matter most in a real disaster.
Observers on standby
Representatives from the Office of Civil Defense–NCR, the Pasig City DRRM Office, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation were present to watch and evaluate the drill.
“Prepared for any eventuality”
Meralco Executive Vice President and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho said the drill is a strong demonstration of the company’s commitment to safety and resilience.
“This exercise is a vital step in ensuring Meralco remains prepared for any eventuality,” he said, emphasizing that testing under realistic conditions helps safeguard employees and ensure uninterrupted service to the public during crises.
Regular participation
Meralco regularly takes part in the quarterly nationwide earthquake drills as part of its ongoing push to strengthen operational continuity and disaster-readiness across all units.
Held at the Meralco Operating Center in Pasig City, the simulation tested how the company would respond if a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit along the West Valley Fault — the exact scenario experts have long warned Metro Manila to prepare for.
Realistic, no-prep drill
Unlike previous exercises, this was Meralco’s first full-scale drill without pre-positioned resources, making it feel closer to a real emergency. The teams had to think fast and move quickly as they dealt with:
• High-angle rescue operations
• Fire suppression
• Mass casualty triage
• Collapsed structure rescue
Meralco’s Business Continuity Management team pushed responders to go beyond the standard “duck, cover, and hold.” They assessed structural damage, activated business continuity plans, and set up key emergency facilities including an incident command post, emergency operations center, field hospital, mobile kitchen, and evacuation center.
They also tested communication back-ups by coordinating with NGCP and internal teams using satellite phones and improvised workspaces — the kind of systems that matter most in a real disaster.
Observers on standby
Representatives from the Office of Civil Defense–NCR, the Pasig City DRRM Office, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation were present to watch and evaluate the drill.
“Prepared for any eventuality”
Meralco Executive Vice President and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho said the drill is a strong demonstration of the company’s commitment to safety and resilience.
“This exercise is a vital step in ensuring Meralco remains prepared for any eventuality,” he said, emphasizing that testing under realistic conditions helps safeguard employees and ensure uninterrupted service to the public during crises.
Regular participation
Meralco regularly takes part in the quarterly nationwide earthquake drills as part of its ongoing push to strengthen operational continuity and disaster-readiness across all units.
Nov 14, 2025
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