LOOK: NDRRMC holds nationwide earthquake drill

PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE

PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE

PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE

PHOTO FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE

More than 100,000 individuals participated in the nationwide earthquake drill in the country on Friday.

It was the first time that the ceremonial venue of the earthquake drill was held outside in Luzon, this time in Cebu Provincial Capitol

Sirens simultaneously went off at 2 p.m., sounding the start of the supposed 7.0 magnitude quake striking Cebu City, with scenarios of mass evacuation, collapsed structures and fire simulated to test the response of rescue teams.

Local drills were held in various areas nationwide through the Office of Civil Defense regional offices.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said more than 1,000 local government official and employees, responders, media partners and locals, performed the “duck, cover and hold” in Cebu.

Present at the ceremonial venue were NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administration Usec. Ricardo Jalad, Philvocs director Renato Solidum and Province of Cebu Board Member Miguel Magpale.

“Through this activity we can see the best practices and even the gaps to further improve our preparedness measures for a strong earthquake. Also, this exercise could encourage the entire Philippine citizenry and the whole of government to further strengthen disaster preparedness initiatives and join the NDRRMC in its continuous effort to build a culture of disaster resilience,” Jalad said. IDL