FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – In the wake of recent calamities, the Philippine Army and Megaworld Corporation have renewed their partnership to strengthen disaster preparedness through the Earthquake People and Real Estate Emergency Preparedness Summit (PREPS), held on October 27, 2025, at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.
The summit gathered key stakeholders, community leaders, and partner agencies to promote a culture of readiness in the face of major disasters such as “The Big One.”
The Philippine Army’s 525th Combat Engineer Battalion, the service’s main disaster response unit, showcased its capabilities in rapid mobilization during emergencies. The unit also shared real-world experiences from past international missions, including response operations in Turkey and Myanmar.
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) presented OPLAN Metro Yakal, the capital region’s official Earthquake Contingency Plan, which outlines coordination strategies for all concerned agencies in case of a large-scale earthquake.
Megaworld Corporation highlighted its proactive approach to safety, including the creation of its Earthquake Council. The council focuses on building audits, the use of technology and innovation during emergencies, and the development of a comprehensive business continuity plan. Megaworld also launched its “life bags,” which will be distributed to tenants and residents for use during disasters.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) discussed national strategies under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, emphasizing measures to lessen the impact of natural hazards.
This latest initiative follows a series of joint trainings between the Philippine Army and Megaworld earlier this year. The Joint Threat and Disaster Interoperability Training was held in Iloilo City on August 28–29 and in Metro Manila on May 19 and 26 at Eastwood City, Quezon City. Around 200 Megaworld Lifestyle Malls personnel from the Visayas and NCR participated in the sessions, which aimed to enhance their emergency response skills.
These efforts form part of the ongoing PA-Megaworld “Pag-Alab” Partnership Program, which seeks to promote Filipino nationalism, volunteerism, and social responsibility through coordinated community initiatives.
(Photos by Mr. Joshua Ellis Pedregosa, CivHR/OCPA)
