BAGUIO CITY – The City of Baguio participated in the First Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED 2023) last March nine held in University of Baguio (UB). Spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense-CAR (OCD-CAR), they demonstrated the proper measures during and after an earthquake. The objective of the earthquake drill is to inform the public on proper measures during and after an earthquake.
“Ito po ay isang paraan para po maging aware at masanay ang mga tao na kung sakaling magkaroon ng emergency na dulot ng earthquake ay alam na po natin ang ating mga gagawin.” Regional Director OCD-CAR Albert Mogol explained. The earthquake drill was joined by almost 6,000 UB students along with their faculty members and properly evacuated to evacuation sites such as; parking lots and at Melvin Jones Grandstand. Other government offices like City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Beauro of Fire Protection (BFP) helped in assessing the evacuation plan of UB.
Aside from UB and other universities, a shopping mall in Baguio City also participated in NSED 2023. There is a simulation of paramedics responding to an injured customer, the staff also designate command centers and evacuation sites for employees and customers.
The City Hall employees also participated in the said nationwide earthquake drill, after doing the duck, cover and hold to their office, they rapidly evacuated the city hall and formed a line at city hall grounds.
The National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill is a nationwide quarterly earthquake safety training that should equip the Filipinos with sufficient knowledge in risk reduction management. “Ang National Earthquake Drill ay base sa ating mandato sa Republic Act 10121 (or an act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System) na every quarter ay magco-conduct tayo ng tinatawag nating NSED.” Dir. Albert Mogol stated.
Regional Director Albert Mogol also explained that the OCD-CAR has already prepared a plan in the region just in case when any of the fault lines ruptured and can generate high intensity earthquakes, more known as “The Big One.” Hence, it is really important to join these kinds of quarterly drills to enhance one’s preparedness. By Nicko Gatchalian