Balabagan joins first nationwide earthquake drill

PREPAREDNESS --- The municipal government of Balabagan participates in the first quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill last February 21 led by Mayor Edna Ogka Benito. At inset are the Balabagan Trade School students showing their duck cover and hold. (Anne Acosta)

BALABAGAN, Lanao del Sur --- This local government took part in the first quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill last February 21 in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).

Bryan Santican Domato, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the conduct of the drill is in preparation for the unpredicted occurrence of earthquake.

“We should take note that we are also prone to tsunami since our town is located along the coast line of Lanao del Sur,” Domato said.

Mayor Edna Ogka Benito emphasized in her message that the activity sought to educate the local populace on disaster preparedness against earthquakes and to showcase capability on disaster response.

Further, evacuation and rescue drill simulations were also shown to increase and strengthen the Emergency Response Group (ERG) preparedness and coordination among tasked units.

These simulations included carrying out first aid procedures to severely injured victims and traumatized students. The regular conduct of an earthquake drill is necessary so that the public’s awareness and preparedness are improved, and response plans of local government and organizations are tested and refined.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) usually lead the quarterly conduct of NSED.

The simulation is done to test, validate and evaluate the preparedness of the local government, with plans still based on the duck, cover and hold concept.

“For one thing, the quarterly NSED is necessary for it prepares us for the worst possible scenario, so that we will know how to handle whatever situation comes up,” Domato said. (ANNE ACOSTA)