Local government units across Mindanao participated in the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill simulation and emergency response on Thursday, March 9.
LGUs such as Camiguin, Davao City, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro showed their capacity to respond to real-life crises and disaster scenarios such as evacuation, first aid, rapid extrication, and fire suppression or the proper extinguishing of fire in the event of a fire.
Camiguin, a tiny volcanic island province also holds a fire rescue scenario as well as a tsunami warning simulation as the island is facing the Bohol Sea where there is an active fault line.
In Malungon, Saranggani province, 8,000 students, school staff, teachers, and parents in four school district participated in an earthquake drill, doing the “Duck, Hold, and Cover” approach. Malungon was chosen as the pilot area for the NSED.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office led the drill in Davao del Sur. PDRRMO head Christopher Tan said “the drill is being done simultaneously across the Philippines.”
“This is the first quarter. We did it in a timely manner because just the other day, our neighboring province – Davao de Oro was shaken (March 7 by a 5.9 magnitude quake), especially in the municipality of New Bataan. Here in Davao del Sur we are preparing, practicing, preparing what we should do in case of an earthquake,” Tan said.
After doing the “Duck Cover and Hold” participants then quickly left the building evacuating to a safer place while covering their heads.
Davao del Sur PDRRMO, the MDRRMO, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) conducted a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) in relation to disaster response operations in the areas of the province affected by the strong earthquake, particularly in New Bataan.
RDANA aims to assess the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake so that the government can immediately respond to the needs of the affected population.
Dr. Raymond Patrick Maximo of Phivolcs reminded Filipinos to refer to the Philvolcs social media accounts, Philvolcs website for information related to earthquakes.
“Let’s not believe the news that is being posted casually, we need to verify it and look at the right agency that is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes” Maximo said.
The conduct of the earthquake drill is one of the government’s efforts to promote disaster preparedness and resilience among communities. It also measures the country’s ability to make the most accurate decision to ensure safety in the event of an earthquake.
