PH holds nationwide quake drill for first quarter of 2025

Philippine agencies, schools and institutions on Thursday conducted the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) for the first quarter of 2025, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

At 3 p.m., participants exercised the “duck, cover, and hold” positions as various scenarios during earthquakes were being performed in different parts of the country.

The quarterly drills are for the preparations for the looming threat of the "Big One," or a potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake that could hit the metro, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Southern Police District (SPD), nakiisa sa 1st quarter nationwide earthquake drill | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/lGWLoVAVBB

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 13, 2025

????????????????????: 1st quarter nationwide earthquake drill sa Kampo Crame, sa Quezon City

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— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 13, 2025

Mga kawani ng DOJ, nakibahagi sa nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill ngayong hapon | via @ralphobina pic.twitter.com/HlBqrOiqq9

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 13, 2025

A ceremonial event was held in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna to demonstrate the readiness of the city, nearby local government units, and the regional disaster risk reduction and management council (RDRRMC) in Calabarzon.

The drill focused on heightened participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, including special education schools, Laguna Technopark, Inc., Enchanted Kingdom, Angkas, and the Armed Forces reserve force.

According to the OCD, the full-scale exercise covered a range of scenarios like aerial damage assessments, hazardous materials response, as well as collapsed structure search and rescue.

The OCD also set up jailbreak scenarios, vehicle extrication, and the evacuation of school children with learning difficulties for the earthquake drill. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA Integrated News