Questions and Answers Raised At The 2nd Disaster Resilience Conference for PWDs and Senior Citizens

When disaster strikes, definitely Senior Citizens and Persons With Disability (PWD) will be the most vulnerable in those times of crisis and panic. But how can we actually help them as they also overcome their own physical disability? We can definitely help them with knowledge and skills that will prepare them when things getting out of order.

Recently SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of SM Prime Holdings hosted the 2nd Disaster Resilience Conference for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens at Function Room 3 of the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia, disaster experts and stakeholders will gather once again to provide adequate information to PWDs and Senior Citizens about the realities of a potential earthquake / disaster scenario happening in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

In partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), in support of UNISDR ARISE, SM Supermalls recently hosted the  2nd Disaster Resilience Conference for Persons with Disabilities at the SMX Conference Center, Pasay City.



The Philippines is located along the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many of Earth’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. A 2004 study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), indicated that an earthquake hitting Metro Manila could destroy 40% of the buildings in the metropolis and kill about 34,000. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), movement in the West Valley Fault will cause the most severe damage.


Two major fault lines are located near the City of Manila. First is the West Valley Fault, which experts believe could trigger a 7.2 magnitude earthquake once it moves. Second is the fault line in Manila Trench, which may cause 7.9 magnitude earthquake.



During these disasters, it is recognized that PWDs and Senior Citizens are the most disenfranchised and are at most disadvantage due to their limitations on mobility and awareness. It is because of this potential scenario that SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of SM Prime Holdings, will once again hold the 2nd Disaster Resilience Conference for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. 


Because of this, the 2nd Disaster Resilience Conference for Persons with Disabilities aims to provide adequate information to PWDs and Senior Citizens about the reality of a potential earthquake/disaster scenario happening in Metro Manila, make the PWDs and Senior Citizens informed, better prepared and resilient during times of disasters and calamities; equip the caregivers of PWDs and Senior Citizens, of knowledge and preparedness during times of disasters; and teach basic survival tips to PWDs and Senior Citizens after a disaster has occurred.  


The Conference featured talks from Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., Director of PHIVOLCS on the topic of “Potential major earthquake scenario and vulnerability of Metro Manila”, Hon. Emerson Carlos, Chairman of the MMDA about the Government’s Action Plan on Disaster Resiliency, and Dr. Ted Esguerra, Operational Medicine Instructor, International Disaster Response Network,  who discussed about various emergency and survival tips during and after an earthquake for both PWDs and their companions.


SM Supermalls President Annie S. Garcia and AKAP Pinoy President Ret. Navy Caption Oscar Taleon was also present during the conference.

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