NDRRMC to hold nationwide earthquake drill Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — Following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Central Visayas in February, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will hold its first quarter nationwide earthquake drill at Camp Aguinaldo Thursday.

In a statement, the NDRRMC said that the drill, to start at 9 a.m. would be conducted simultaneously in selected schools, establishments, government and non-government offices.

The local launch will be coordinated by the Office of Civil Defense Regional Offices.

The earthquake drill, conducted quarterly since 2006, is part of the NDRRMC’s four-point plan on disaster preparedness particularly on public information, education, communication and disaster response, it said.

Meanwhile,  the Armed Forces of the Philippines, a participant in the activity, said the earthquake drill scenario “envisions a 7.2 magnitude earthquake striking Metro Manila causing widespread devastation in the National Capital Region and greatly damaging Camp Aguinaldo.”

“The activity will be composed of the static display of Disaster Response Operations capability including the equipment of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, National Development Support Command and AFP Reserve Command; and the actual conduct of the earthquake drill,” said AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos.

He added that some 1,000 personnel would join the drill.

“We would like to assess and evaluate further our capability in respnding to disasters we like to re-evaluate and assess our capability to respond to earthquake disaster,” he said.

The earthquake in Central Visayas last month left more than 50 people dead and affected more than 300,000 families.