Philippines holds simultaneous earthquake drills

The Philippines conducted simultaneous earthquake drills to raise preparedness during earthquakes.

The first quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill took place on Monday at 9 in the morning.

The Office of Civil Defense said that the drill would help to assess the effectiveness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and its member agencies in responding to a simulated disaster scenario through testing of the communication protocols, coordination mechanisms, and resource mobilization.

In his message, Department of Science and Technology Secretary  Renato Solidum Jr. said an earthquake drill is ''an important gathering that underscores critical importance of strengthening our preparedness for earthquakes.''

''In our pursuit to create an earthquake-resilient nation, science serves as an indispensable ally. The Department of Science and Technology has developed groundbreaking technologies to assist us in this mission,'' Solidum said.

Solidum further called on the public to work with the government in order to be better prepared against earthquakes and other natural hazards.

Malacañang was among those that joined in the earthquake drill. Government employees from the Presidential Communications Office practiced the "duck, cover, and hold" during the drill. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News