The Office of Civil Defense XI (OCD XI), chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council XI, partnered with the Davao City Government through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) for the regional exercise held Thursday.
The drill began with a ceremonial pressing of the button at 2 p.m. at the OCD-RDRRMC XI Conference Room, led by OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV, together with OCD XI Regional Director Ednar G. Dayanghirang and other representatives from the city’s emergency management, health, education, business and security sectors.
A separate nighttime earthquake simulation was conducted at 8 p.m. at Gaisano Mall of Davao, San Pedro College, and San Pedro Hospital.
The exercise highlighted the importance of maintaining disaster preparedness beyond regular working hours, particularly in establishments that remain busy at night.
Students, employees, tenants, clients and other stakeholders participated in the drill, beginning with the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” procedure before proceeding to designated evacuation areas.
The simulation also went beyond basic evacuation, testing the coordination and response capabilities of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council through mock scenarios involving fire, chemical spillage and structural collapse.
Davao CDRRMO Head PLTCOL Alfredo T. Baloran, PNP (Ret.), said the nighttime component was aimed at strengthening preparedness for emergencies that may occur when people are still at workplaces, schools, commercial establishments and other public facilities.
The exercise also underscored a basic reality of disaster preparedness: earthquakes can strike at any hour, making round-the-clock readiness essential.
Authorities said regular drills such as the NSED help organizations identify weaknesses in their emergency plans, improve coordination among responders and familiarize the public with proper evacuation procedures.
The regional exercise was also joined by representatives of San Pedro Hospital of Davao City, Inc., Gaisano Mall of Davao and San Pedro College.
Through realistic simulations conducted under both daytime and nighttime conditions, disaster authorities aim to strengthen the capacity of communities and institutions to respond swiftly and effectively when an actual earthquake occurs.
Facebook Conversations