Quezon City Implements Earthquake Evacuation Procedures 2024

Quezon City Requires Evacuation Plans for Government Buildings in 24 Earthquake-Hotspot Barangays

September 16, 2026

20–30 minutes

This 2024 ordinance remains relevant as residents look for visible signs that local earthquake-preparedness policies are being implemented and tested.

Quezon City has an ordinance requiring city government-owned and operated buildings and critical-point facilities in 24 earthquake-hotspot barangays to develop emergency evacuation procedures.

Ordinance SP-3280, S-2024 was approved by Mayor Joy Belmonte on May 31, 2024. It took effect immediately and contains no stated expiration date, making it a continuing local preparedness requirement unless amended or repealed.

The measure covers facilities located in barangays classified as earthquake hotspots under the city’s three-tier Barangay Vulnerability Index, which reflects a broader picture of earthquake hazards across Metro Manila. The covered barangays are:

Tier 1: Blue Ridge A, Blue Ridge B, Batasan Hills, Ugong Norte, Bagong Silangan and Escopa IV
Tier 2: Libis, Villa Maria Clara, White Plains, Amihan and Escopa III
Tier 3: Bagumbayan, Escopa II, Teachers Village East, Teachers Village West, Quirino 2-B, Escopa I, Masagana, Pansol, Loyola Heights, Quirino 2-C, Marilag, Milagrosa and Claro (Quirino 3-B)

The ordinance applies only to Quezon City government-owned and operated buildings and identified critical-point facilities in those areas, not to private buildings or national-government facilities within the 24 barangays. Evacuation planning complements—not replaces—technical work to strengthen public facilities, including efforts to improve the assessment and seismic retrofitting of public buildings.

What the evacuation procedures must contain

Each covered facility must establish an emergency evacuation procedure identifying an evacuation area and at least two safety officers. The procedure must also include an activation checklist, staff responsibilities for shutting down equipment or utilities when necessary, medical and rescue assignments, evacuation maps and routes, and emergency contact numbers. In multi-storey workplaces, these preparations should guide what happens before occupants enter the stairwell.

The barangay governments are tasked with reviewing, approving and auditing the procedures of covered facilities within their jurisdictions. The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is directed to provide technical assistance and establish a compliance-audit system.

These requirements are intended to make evacuation more organized after strong ground shaking, when damaged exits, fires, utility hazards, falling objects and confusion can increase the danger inside and around a building.

What public records show—and do not show

Quezon City publicly reports broader disaster-preparedness work, including earthquake drills, orientations, training, risk assessments and contingency planning. These activities demonstrate an active citywide preparedness program, but they do not by themselves establish the compliance status of every facility covered by SP-3280.

As of this review, WVF could not locate through publicly accessible and searchable online sources a consolidated list of covered facilities, copies or summaries of their approved evacuation procedures, compliance-audit results, or an overall completion rate under the ordinance.

That absence should not be read as proof that the required procedures have not been prepared. It means only that the available online record does not yet provide a complete public picture of implementation.

What residents should watch for

For residents, the practical question is whether preparedness policies have been translated into procedures that people can recognize and follow. Visible indicators include clearly identified evacuation areas, posted and unobstructed routes, assigned and trained safety personnel, recent drills, accessible emergency contacts and public instructions from barangay and city authorities. Families can apply the same questions when checking the hazards and evacuation arrangements surrounding schools and other public facilities.

If there are certain preparedness measures that you think should be included feel free to approach your local barangay or city government. Anything that can add to these measures should be welcomed by your local government unit.