3,000 students ‘duck, cover, hold’ in Tagbilaran school

Students of Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol province, participate in the earthquake drill on Thursday afternoon, June 20, 2019. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol –– About 3,000 students joined the earthquake drill at the Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS) on Thursday afternoon.

They were taught to “duck, cover, and hold,” and to evacuate in an open space outside the school grounds.

Celian Janica Pesquira, 16, and a Grade 10 student of DCPNHS, said she took every drill seriously after she experienced the strong earthquake that hit Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013.

The 2013 strong earthquake in Bohol killed at least 222, toppled centuries-old churches, and destroyed infrastructures.

School principal II Melchor Daniel, Jr. said the drill would help students and teachers react properly during earthquakes.

He hoped students and teachers would learn to protect themselves and to promote a culture of safety.