The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council urged anew people to participate at the 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Thursday, August 8 at the 2 pm wherever they are.
Ormoc city will host the warning buzzer ceremony to kick off the nationwide drill.
For Thursday’s NSED, Ormoc City will simulate their responses based on their contingency plan on a 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake with the epicenter located along Leyte segment (between Albuera and Burauen areas) of the Philippine Fault.
The city had strong earthquakes and aftershocks in the past like the 2017 Magnitude 6.5 which damaged scores of buildings and forced a number of villagers to leave their homes and relocate somewhere safe.
During an Interview, Science and Technology Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Renato U. Solidum Jr. said it is important to learn for other peoples’ experiences.
Batanes’ Itbayat, Dr. Solidum said, is proof that earthquakes can occur anytime.
Dr. Solidum said immediate and appropriate response, as well as the next steps after earthquakes, will be critical.
“Kung tayo’y handa, tayo’y ligtas (If we are prepared, we are safe),” said Dr. Solidum.
For Mimaropa, the Municipality of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro was considered initially to host the regional simultaneous earthquake drill where the town is supposed to simulate the impact of the movement of the Manila Trench (Intensity VIII) as well practice their contingencies for Tsunami.
Unfortunately, Occidental Mindoro PDRRM Officer Mario Mulingbayan said on Tuesday that trips to Lubang island were unavailable because of the bad weather brought about by the enhance southwest monsoon (habagat).
The western seaboard, including Occidental Mindoro, has been under gale warning since Monday.
For the 4th Quarter NSED, Calapan City will be the ceremonial venue.
Office of Civil Defense – Mimaropa Assistant Regional Director Nieves Bonifacio said they coordinating with representatives from PhiVolcs, OCD Central Office, the disaster risk reduction and management offices of Calapan City and Oriental Mindoro as part of the preparation for the last quarter drill. (LP/PIAR4B)
