LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- About 5,000 high school and elementary students from two public schools in Benguet and employees of a number of government agencies based in the province braved midday rain showers to join in the second-quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill (NSED) on Thursday.
The quarterly activity is aimed at preparing all sectors for the possible occurrence of a strong earthquake in the country.
The participants were from Benguet National High School, Cordillera Regional Science High School, Department of Education's Cordillera regional office, Provincial Schools Division Office, and Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Cordillera.
The Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (DRRMC) initiated the earthquake drill, supervised by the Office of Civil Defense's Regional Risk Reduction Coordinating Council (OCD-RDRRMC).
The school disaster committees and the disaster control groups of the various government agencies were evaluated based on several areas: evacuation plan, execution of the drill, Incident Command System (ICS), and medical response.
Also, the roles and responsibilities of the local DRRM teams and disaster control groups were also assessed on certain aspects: evacuation, security, communication and warning system, medical, supply, engineering, and rehabilitation.
Staff Sergeant Jake Belino of the Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 1 of Philippine Air Force based in Baguio, was designated as head of the umpire in the activity and assessed the almost two-hour drill as “satisfactory”.
However, Belino noted several areas that must be improved and strengthened. These are the alarm system, organized evacuation plan, fire safety measures, and family reunification program.
He stressed that the standard operating procedures for disaster preparedness must be regularly reviewed and assessed.
Belino also urged the designation of a safety officer and the creation of a fire safety team in government offices and schools.
The official urged participants to be serious in the conduct of such drills, reminding them of the sad experiences in the tragic July 16, 1990 killer earthquake.
Before Belino gave his general evaluation, umpire area team leaders presented their reports on what they had observed during the drill.
Topping the list of comments were the absence of an evacuation plan and absence of first aid kits at the CSC-Benguet office; blocked passageway that impedes the evacuation in the participating schools; absence of safety directional signage in government buildings and the schools; absence of medical stations, and lack of transport vehicles and crowd control. (PNA)
