As part of the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) conducted a functional exercise joined by various government agencies to demonstrate and test response capabilities in the event of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that may strike the Greater Metro Manila Area, held Thursday afternoon in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The functional exercise was participated by the Department of Health, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, Office of the President-Presidential Management Staff, Department of Information and Technology, Department of Energy, and Office of Civil Defense.
Prior to the functional exercise, a ceremonial pressing of the button for the First Quarter NSED was held at the Office of Civil Defense.
The ceremonial pressing was led by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., and DND Undersecretary Angelito De Leon and joined by DILG Usec. Serafin Barreto Jr., DSWD Usec. Marco Bautista, NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator, Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno, and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Teresito Bacolcol.
An evacuation drill was conducted where OCD employees did the duck, cover, and hold and proceeded to the evacuation areas. Response operations during emergencies caused by an earthquake were also conducted by responders and actors.
Emergency telecommunications capability was also showcased by the DICT and OCD.
DOST Sec. Solidum, PHIVOLCS Dir. Bacolcol, DSWD Usec. Barreto Jr., DND Usec. Bautista and OCD Usec. Nepomuceno, in their messages for the NSED, emphasized the importance of preparedness for earthquake emergencies as well as government efforts.
Representing DND Officer-in-Charge, Senior Usec. Carlito Galvez Jr. was DND Usec. De Leon who delivered his keynote message.
“Nagpapatuloy ang mga earthquake drill na ito upang magbigay kapanatagan sa ating mga mamamayan na ang ating pamahalaan at buong lipunan ay may kakayahan at hindi tumitigil sa paghahanda laban sa pinsala ng malakas na lindol at iba pang mga kalamidad na maaaring danasin ng ating bayan.” Usec. De Leon said.
“Ating isa-isip na ang kaligtasan ng ating mga pamayanan ay hindi lamang nakasalalay sa iisang tao o ahensya ng pamahalaan kundi sa ating pagkakaisa at sama-samang paghahanda at pagtutulungan.” he added.
A video message from Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio was also shown during the ceremonial pressing of the button.
Meanwhile, a Mustering of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) Capability Resources in the morning was also conducted as part of NSED.
During the mustering of HADR resources, SAR teams from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, BFP, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority-Public Safety Division, Department of Health and the OCD assembled and various equipment of each team were showcased at CGEA grandstand. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
