Staff and patients of Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital in Batasan Rd, Quezon City participate in the 2024 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on September 26, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The entire Luzon must be ready in the eventuality of the "Big One", says Office of Civil Defense administrator Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno.

The "Big One" refers to the possible magnitude 7.2 earthquake in case the West Valley Fault moves.

At the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Nepomuceno said based on studies, the fault moves every 400 years and historical data shows it's ripe for another movement.

"We are not creating panic, we are trying to raise awareness and concern. Ang maaring mamatay kaagad, there's no better way of saying it, 30,000 to 52,000," he said.

READ: Philippines not yet ready for M7.7 quake - OCD

More than a hundred thousand will be seriously injured, which might overwhelm the country's health systems.

Nepomuceno said the entire Luzon and not just Metro Manila should prepare, as the whole Luzon island will move, with stronger quakes felt at Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

He said the first step in preparation is ensuring the structural integrity of homes and buildings, and ensuring the public follows protocols like duck, cover, and hold.

Kapihan sa Manila Bay tackled earthquake preparedness following the destructive quake that hit Myanmar and Thailand.

The Department of Trade and Industry also reminded public to only buy legitimate steel from hardware stores when constructing homes.

There are ways to check the legitimacy of steel through their website.