QUARTERLY TRAINING. Police personnel, municipal employees, and students join the second quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill in Ilocos Norte on Thursday (June 20,2019). The quarterly drill aims to educate residents to reduce casualties during earthquakes. (Photo courtesy of the Solsona Municipal Police Station)
LAOAG CITY -- A simulation exercise that could save numerous lives and prevent severe material damages in case of a magnitude 7 earthquake, was conducted here Thursday afternoon.
The National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held at the Camp Valentin S. Juan was participated in by personnel of the Philippine National Police and a team of responders from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
About 500 Paoay National High School teachers and students also joined the second quarter drill at exactly 2 p.m.
“The main objective of the drill is to test the overall efficiency and usefulness of the preparedness, response, recovery plans, system of existing policy, and protocols in localities,” said Marcell Tabije, head of the PDRRMC.
Tabije said the organizers lauded the participants who took the drill seriously.
“We usually conduct earthquake drills in barangays, schools, and malls since these places have the most number of people,” he said. “By doing this, we strengthen the training of our residents on earthquake preparedness, including similar emergency situations.”
As in various parts of the country, the PDRRMC, in cooperation with the Office of Civil Defense, continues to educate residents, particularly in coastal areas.
The next quarterly NSED will be conducted on August 8 and November 14. (PNA)
