OCD secures 10-hectare Clark lot for actual collapse, fire in earthquake drills

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday said a 10-hectare property has been secured in Clark, Pampanga where the government plans to have actual collapse and fire incidents for earthquake drills.

“Ang progreso dun sa intention na maipakita natin yung mas actual simulation para hindi video or theoretical, meron kaming na-secure na 10-hectare property dun sa Clark na palagian na nating magagamit for this purpose,” OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said in an earthquake drill ceremony.

(The progress on more actual simulation so it is not only a video or theoretical, we have a secured 10-hectare property in Clark that we can always use for this purpose.)

“Yun bang building ng mukhang magko-collapse o nasusunog para yung mga drills makita na actual at maranasan ng mga participants yung mangyayari,” he added.

(The building would look like it's going to collapse or burn so the participants can see and experience the actual incident.)

Aside from Clark, Nepomuceno said the government is looking for more areas like in Cavite and Pasig City for such earthquake drills.

The OCD led the Third Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill 2024 on Thursday.

Concerned government agencies tested their plan for “the Big One” or possible magnitude 7.2 earthquake in the Greater Metro Manila Area that may be triggered by a movement in the West Valley Fault.

Participants carried out the Duck, Cover, and Hold postures. A tabletop exercise was also conducted.

“Its goal is to evaluate the updated or enhanced elements designed to improve the harmonized mobilization of government resources in the event of a devastating earthquake,” the OCD said.

“The exercise will also identify key areas of clarity or ambiguity, consistency or inconsistencies, strengths, and weaknesses of the HNCP,” it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News