Critical Information on Earthquake preparedness

Please allow me to share some critical information why earthquake preparedness is very urgent.

Here, I have provided some official earthquake preparedness materials that are downloadable. Please ignore all other unauthorized suggestions being spread irresponsibly through email, like those with the subject "Earthquake tips" and features something called "The triangle of Life." These are not endorsed by any recognized authority on the subject and may even endanger people's lives.

"Solidum urges people not to believe the "Triangle of Life" article circulating in the Internet. " 
from What to do in case an earthquake hits By Cyril Bonabente, PDI Research Inquirer. Posted date: July 16, 2006. http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=10071

The Metro Manila earthquake scenario that the Phivolcs determined on October 2004 remains a great concern.(1) This can now be viewed in the light of the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean M9.0 - M9.3 Earthquake that triggered the killer Tsunamis.(2) (Before, what we remember more was the 1990 Luzon M7.8 Earthquake).

Earthquake drill set in public schools nationwide - INQ7.net
SOME one million elementary and high school students and teachers from 40000
public schools will participate in a nationwide earthquake drill on Tuesday, ...
http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=79691

As directed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a nationwide earthquake drill for schools was carried out at the start of the school year on 20 June 2006 at 9:00 AM. Coordinated by the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Coordinating Council (OCD-NDCC) in collaboration with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) and the Department of Education (DepEd). 

from http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/

One year later, in October 12, 2005, Malacañang continues its earthquake preparedness activities.(3) You see, the scenario has been described by Phivolcs as inevitable...that a magnitude 7.0 to 7.2 earthquake can hit Metro Manila anytime. It is not a question of whether it will or will not occurs, it is a question of when it will occur, so we have all the reasons tobe prepared.

It has been 400-500 years since the last major earthquake. Such major event happens on the VFS every 400-500 years, if not 200 years. To read further, check out th e August 2002 JICA Study(4) and the previous 2000 study conducted by the Geologic Hazards Team of the Central Region U.S. Geological Survey.(5)

To personally monitor the occurrence of earthquakes, please visit:
http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/EQLatest.html

Notes and sources:
(1) "The Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued this call yesterday to Metro Manila residents following a study showing that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake could hit the metropolis anytime and could kill at least 147,000 people in seconds."
Cariaso, Bella. "Believe it or not: The big one is coming-- or going" In People's Journal, October 28, 2004,
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:bwVbLNaZs5MJ:www.journal.com.ph/news.asp%3Fpid%3D2%26sid%3D1%26nid%3D14549%26month%3D10%26day%3D28%26year%3D2004+phivolcs+earthquake+to+hit+Metro+Manila&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1 
"The Magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Metro Manila is not a prediction but a SCENARIO that is useful for urban planning and formulation of disaster mitigation strategies."
Phivolcs. "Clarification on the Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Scenario in Metro Manila,"
http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/clarification/Clarification1.htm
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake 
(3) "Director Renato Solidum Jr. of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed that a strong
earthquake is imminent to hit Metro Manila...." 
Office of the Press Secretary, Malacañang Palace, "Palace orders DPWH to check safety of public structures", October 12, 2005, http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/archives2005/oct12.htm 
(4) "Metro Manila and Potential for Danger ....In and around Metro Manila, numerousearthquake sources exist, such as Valley Fault System (VFS), Philippine Faults, Lubang Faults, Manila Trench and Casiguran Faults. Among these, VFS, which transects the JICA Study area, is considered to cause the largest impact to Metro Manila area if it will become active. Recent studies show that VFS has ruptured twice to four times in the last 1400 years with a return period being approximately less than 500 years. And since no event of a major earthquake has been known along West Valley Fault since the 16th Century, active phases of the Valley Faults may be approaching. Results of many researches indicate that an estimated magnitude will be around 7 or higher."
JICA Newsletter. "Environmental Conservation and Disaster Prevention: JICA Works to Make a Comprehensive Earthquake Impact Reduction Study for Metro Manila",http://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/activities02_03.html
(5) "The first 14C-based paleoseismic study of an active fault in The Philippines shows that a right-lateral fault on the northeast edge of metropolitan Manila poses a greater seismic hazard than previously thought. Stratigraphic, soil, and 14C data from exposures across the northern part of the west Marikina Valley fault indicate a recurrence interval of 200-400 years for magnitude 6-7 earthquakes on the fault."
Nelson A. and Personius S., "Multiple large earthquakes in the past 1500 years on a fault in metropolitan Manila, The Philippines" In Bulletin of Seismological Society of America, 2000.http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/pacnw/paleo/manila/index.html