Directing All Mall Operators to Conduct Evacuation Drills During Mall Operating Hours to Ensure Public Safety

February 1, 2013

MMDA RESOLUTION NO. 01-13

DIRECTING ALL MALL OPERATORS TO CONDUCT EVACUATION DRILLS DURING MALL OPERATING HOURS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY DURING NATURAL CALAMITIES, CRIMINALITIES AND OTHER SIMILAR OCCURRENCES

WHEREAS, under Republic Act No. 7924 (RA No. 7924) mandates the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to formulate and implement programs, and policies, and procedures, to achieve public safety, especially preparedness for preventive or rescue operations during times of calamities and disasters such as conflagrations, earthquake, flood and tidal waves;

WHEREAS, studies revealed that Metro Manila is exposed to seismic, hydrological, and meteorological risk including human-induced acts such as crimes;

WHEREAS, recent spate of events involved incidents transpiring within commercial establishments where a large number of people converge;

WHEREAS, it has been observed that operators, occupants, mall-goers and the general public are without knowledge as to the proper procedures to observe during times of calamities, disasters, criminalities and other similar occurrences;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that the public be educated on the significance of and understanding of the threat of disasters, criminalities and other similar occurrences through proper conduct of evacuation drills;

WHEREAS, emergency drills will also equip the public with knowledge on how to assist in the implementation of emergency plans; DSTCIa

WHEREAS, during operating hours, malls are occupied by the public and mall operators and are therefore in the position to properly educate the public, and implement emergency plans to avoid or at least lessen catastrophic effects of calamities, disasters, criminalities and other similar occurrences;

WHEREAS, in order to ensure the safety of the public against various types of hazards and further raise their awareness, consciousness and knowledge on emergency management they need to be very actively involved during the conduct of emergency exercises especially inside malls which oftentimes the guests are not familiar with;

WHEREAS, the Metro Manila Council, in session duly assembled, after due deliberation, recognizes the importance of directing all mall operators to conduct evacuation drills in all malls in Metro Manila to increase probability of a successful evacuation during actual emergencies.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, pursuant to Section 6 of RA 7924, that the Metro Manila Council hereby directs all mall operators to conduct evacuation drills during mall operating hours to ensure public safety during calamities, disasters, criminalities and similar occurrences.

RESOLVED, FURTHER, that the councils of the Local Government Units comprising Metro Manila further enact ordinances to strengthen the objectives of this Resolution including a provision on requiring the conduct of emergency drills as a pre-requisite in the issuance of the annual business permit.

DONE and APPROVED, this 1st day of February, 2013 at the City of Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.

(SGD.) ATTY. FRANCIS N. TOLENTINOChairman

(SGD.) BENJAMIN C. ABALOS, JR.Mayor, City of Mandaluyong

(SGD.) VERGEL A. AGUILARMayor, City of Las Piñas

(SGD.) HERBERT M. BAUTISTAMayor, Quezon City

(SGD.) FLORENCIO M. BERNABE, JR.Mayor, City of Parañaque

(SGD.) JEJOMAR ERWIN S. BINAY, JR.Mayor, City of Makati

(SGD.) ANTONINO G. CALIXTOMayor, City of Pasay

MA. LAARNI L. CAYETANOMayor, City of Taguig

(SGD.) DEL R. DE GUZMANMayor, City of Marikina

(SGD.) ENRICO R. ECHIVERRIMayor, City of Caloocan

(SGD.) ROBERT C. EUSEBIOMayor, City of Pasig

(SGD.) SHERWIN T. GATCHALIANMayor, City of Valenzuela

GUIA G. GOMEZMayor, City of San Juan

(SGD.) ALFREDO S. LIMMayor, City of Manila

(SGD.) JAIME C. MEDINAMayor, Municipality of Pateros

(SGD.) ANTOLIN A. ORETA IIIMayor, City of Malabon

(SGD.) ALDRIN L. SAN PEDROMayor, City of Muntinlupa

(SGD.) JOHN REYNALDO M. TIANGCOMayor, City of Navotas

(SGD.) EDGAR R. ERICEPresident, MM Vice Mayors' League

(SGD.) SERAFIN Y. BERNARDINOPresident, MM Councilors' League