MANILA, Philippines – To test the community preparedness efforts, as well as synergize and synchronize the implementation of both the National and Regional Disaster Response Plan, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) held the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at Brgy. Sta Ana, in San Mateo, Rizal on Thursday, June 21.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary Eduardo M. Año urgerd the public to make resilience-building a priority.
“Ang indibidwal na paghahanda ay haligi ng isang komunidad na matatag sa banta ng kalamidad katulad ng isang malakas na lindol. Ating seryosohin at isa-puso ang mga pagsasanay katulad nito, upang tayo’y maging ligtas at mamuhay ng panatag,” said Año in a message.
(Our preparedness is the foundation of a strong community against a disaster. Let us take this seriously and remember the value of practices like this so we can live peacefully and safe.)
At exactly 2 pm, residents of San Mateo, Rizal performed the duck, cover, and hold after hearing a loud 60-second siren caused by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake generated from the West Valley Fault. This siren represented an earthquake affecting the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA).
Various scenarios were portrayed to show the possible impacts of a strong earthquake based on the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), including performing a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis; coordination and management of camps; search, rescue and retrieval operations, fire suppression operations, emergency medical response, chemical decontamination, and management of the dead and missing.
Here are some photos from the earthquake drill:
– Rappler.com