LUNA, Apayao – Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) actively participated in the third quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) this September.
NSED is a quarterly exercise in the Philippines designed to prepare citizens for earthquake emergencies and to enhance community awareness and response capabilities during seismic events.
Earthquake drills are crucial for enhancing preparedness and safety during natural disasters and teach us on how to respond effectively during earthquakes reducing injuries and fatalities.
In connection to this, the PDRRMO conducted an earthquake drill in Apayao Child Development Center this September 26, 2024.
Josephine Ulayan of the Local DRRM Office oriented the children on safety steps to follow during an earthquake, showing visual representation to get their attention and demonstrated the drill to the participants.
After they sounded the alarm, the participants enacted the DUCK, COVER and HOLD for a minute and signalled them to evacuate through the designated exit areas. Then, they proceeded to an open area where the DRRM representatives counted the evacuees.
Ulayan reminded everyone that ‘If there is no table to hide, find the nearest safe place or hold onto something that is hard like chairs and cover your head with your hands or objects such as books’
Moreover, at the capitol, PDRRM personnel simultaneously performed the drill in their workplace following the DUCK, COVER and HOLD. Provincial Social Welfare and Development workers and 12 ACDC participants joined the activity.
Jane Tarmad of the Social Welfare and Development Office expressed her thanks to the PDRRM personnel for conducting such drills which is helpful for the children. By Loremia Pareja
