Simultaneous earthquake drill held in different parts of the country

Earthquake exercises were conducted in different parts of the country on Friday as part of the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) for the second quarter of the year. 

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said the scenario was a magnitude 7.2 earthquake with Intensity VIll or “The Big One” hit the country due to the movement of the West Valley Fault.

Affected areas were Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Metro Manila.

While the ceremonial venue for the quarterly activity was at RED Training Center in Pasig City, the OCD said different exercises were also done in:

• Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija
• Ugong Norte Barangay Hall, Quezon City
• Kapitolyo ng Katipunan, Manila 
• MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy, Pasig  Villamor Air Base, Pasay

Included in the exercises were mass casualty management, emergency operations center, collapsed structure search and rescue efforts, among others. 

The exercises aim to assess the effectiveness of communication protocols, equipment, coordination mechanisms, decision-making processes, and resource mobilization.

According to the OCD, the drill also tests the readiness of first responders and checks the safety and efficiency of the deployment procedures.

With this, concerned agencies can evaluate the strategic emergency logistics services including mobility, warehousing, emergency supplies, and other operational requirements.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier warned that “The Big One” could lead to over 60,000 fatalities and 120,000 missing people. 

Government offices, LGUs participation

Various government offices and local government units participated and practiced the duck/drop, cover, and hold routine before going out of their respective buildings.

—with Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA Integrated News