(Photo courtesy of Office of Civil Defense)
MANILA – Stakeholders from different government offices, the academe, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and the public across the country joined the 1st Quarter Online Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Thursday, led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through the Office of Civil Defense.
"Napakahalaga ng inyong patuloy na suporta at kooperasyon sa ating layunin na pagtibayin ang kahandaan ng sambayanan sa anumang sakuna o kalamidad. Sa kabila ng pandemya, nararapat lamang na ipagpatuloy ang mga pagsasanay para makapaghanda sa lindol anumang oras (Your continued support and cooperation is important in our aim to strengthen preparedness for any disaster. Amid the pandemic, we should continue our training to prepare for earthquakes that could happen anytime)," NDRRMC chairperson, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, said in his message.
Lorenzana said it is the duty of a good citizen to encourage his/her family and community to join measures that ensure disaster preparedness and safety.
This year's first quarter online NSED was the third online drill following the third and fourth quarter NSEDs in 2020.
The first quarter NSED was held via live-stream of the ceremonial pressing of the button.
The alarm sounded at 2 p.m. wherein the public was encouraged to duck, cover, and hold in their houses and offices.
"Malaki ang nagagawa ng ating pagtutulungan sa pagsasakatuparan ng adhikang gawing mas ligtas ang bawat komunidad. Nakikita namin ang patuloy na pag-unlad ng kamalayan at kahandaan ng sambayanan at nais naming mas mapayabong pa ito (Our collaboration plays a big role in the goal to make communities safer. We see the continuous development of the people's awareness and we hope to improve this)," Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Casiano Monilla said.
Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Attorney Noel Felongco, several NAPC sectoral representatives, Center for Disaster Preparedness Deputy Executive Director Mayfourth Luneta, Council for the Welfare of Children Executive Director Undersecretary Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, the National Youth Commission’s Commissioner-at-Large Paul Anthony Pangilinan, and Philippine Commission on Women Executive Director Kristine Yuzon-Chaves gave their messages of support for the NSED.
The live-stream of the event has recorded 49,400 comments, 7,300 shares, and reached 204,149 individuals as of 3 p.m. Thursday.
Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr., in his closing remarks, reiterated the call for the public to continuously participate in drills aimed at enhancing the preparedness capacity.
"Ang NSED ay isa lamang sa mga paraan natin sa pagpapatibay ng kahandaan ng sambayanan. Hinihikayat namin na kayo makiisa hindi lamang sa mga nasyonal na pagsasanay kundi sa mga aktibidad sa inyong komunidad. Patuloy rin nating hikayatin ang ating kapwa at pamilya na paghandaan ang pagharap sa anumang sakuna (The NSED is only among our measures to strengthen the readiness of the people. We encourage you to join not only the national drills but also activities in your communities. Let us continue encouraging our fellow Filipinos and families to prepare for any disasters)," Caraig said.
A tabletop exercise on local and regional coordination for earthquake occurrence was also held earlier as part of NSED activities. (PR)
