Thousands join nationwide quake drill

About 170,000 people have participated in the nationwide earthquake drill of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mina Marasigan said a total of 171,553 persons joined the quarterly drill. Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite served as the ceremonial venue of the nationwide event.

Participants including officials, responders, and guests were asked to duck, cover, and hold as it played out a scenario of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake generated by the West Valley Fault.

“We have been doing this in the past decades. This ang nagbabago ang focus. We could focus on infrastructure, schools, communities, capacities of local government units. What were are doing is mag develop ng muscle memory na ‘pag may lindol, mag duck, cover, and hold agad,” Marasigan said.

“Protektahan ang sarili then evacuate to a safe place. Check yourself, check those with you. Wala bang injured?  Then if ready na pwede ng tumulong sa ibang tao,” he said.

The quarterly drill was rescheduled on Sept. 27 after the original date set on Sept. 21 was proclaimed as National Day of Protest by President Rodrigo Duterte. /je