NDRRMC, OCD hold 2nd quarter nationwide earthquake drill

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday held the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill for the second quarter.

In a statement, the NDRRMC said this was the 8th earthquake drill conducted virtually.

The nationwide drill is done quarterly to strengthen the earthquake preparedness of the public. Due to the pandemic, the conduct of the drill was moved online in 2020.

According to the NDRRMC, the one-hour online event gathered 17,300 concurrent viewers with 105,432 views and 80,380 engagements.

NDRRMC chairperson and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana encouraged the public to maintain support and participate in preparedness activities.

“Ang pagpapatuloy ng mga pagsasanay na ito ang nagbibigay kapanatagan sa ating mga mamamayan na ang ating pamahalaan at buong lipunan ay may kakayahan at hindi tumitigil sa paghahanda upang harapin ang mga kalamidad na maaaring danasin ng ating bayan.” he said during the event.

(The continuation of this drill gives peace among the public that our government and the entire society have the capacity and are not stopping in preparation for the calamities the country may face)

NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary, Ricardo Jalad pointed out the importance of a united effort to make communities ready and safe despite the threat of calamities.

“Malinaw na nakikita natin ito sa pamamagitan ng inyong palaging pagsali ating sa gawain na nagpapakita ng patuloy na pag-unlad ng kamalayan at kahandaan ng sambayanan. Nais naming mas mapayabong pa ito.” he said.

(We can clearly see unity through your consistent participation in our activity, which shows continuity in developing awareness and preparedness of the country. We want to improve it more.)

The nationwide earthquake for the third quarter drill is set to be conducted on September 8, the NDRRMC said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News