CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) led the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) in Central Luzon as part of continuing efforts to enhance awareness and preparedness of the region’s local governments and residents on earthquake hazards.
The Office of Civil Defense 3 (Central Luzon), in collaboration of Aurora’s provincial government, spearheaded the drill Thursday afternoon, with hundreds of participants -- students, teachers, residents and local officials -- performing the "duck, cover, and hold" in Ermita Hill in Barangay Zabali, Baler town.
Baler served as the ceremonial venue of this quarter’s earthquake drill in the region, which aims to promote the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation to all stakeholders, as well as strengthen the response mechanism and interoperability of all local key players.
More than 600 participants took part in the NSED, which simulated the worst case scenario during a 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
A one-minute alarm at 2 p.m. signified the start of the "ground shaking".
All participants executed the drop-cover-hold position, which is considered as the safest action to reduce injury and death during an earthquake.
Afterwards, all participants went outside, with both hands covering their heads, walked in a single file, and proceeded to the designated evacuation area.
Other local governments, government agencies, and private institutions in Central Luzon also joined the NSED.
Marlou Salazar, OCD regional director and chairperson of RDRRMC 3, cited the importance of partnership between the government and private sector in disaster risk reduction efforts to minimize the possible impact of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
“We can lessen and minimize the enormous impact of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake by participating in earthquake drills,” Salazar said. (PNA)
