The fourth quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) is set on Nov. 9 with a focus on enhancing the public's preparedness in responding to a tsunami scenario.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the chosen ceremonial site for the fourth quarter NSED will be in Casiguran, Aurora. The ceremonial pressing of the button signaling the public to practice "duck, cover, and hold" will begin at 9 a.m.
OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said Aurora was chosen as the venue of the fourth quarter NSED main program as an earthquake with intensity of VIII struck the province on August 2, 1968. This resulted to the presence of tall waves and a positive assessment of a tsunami probability along Casiguran Bay with an estimated height of three meters.
For the upcoming NSED, Nepomuceno said that an earthquake and tsunami contingency plan of the municipality of Casiguran will be demonstrated through a simulation exercise, focusing on an earthquake that generates a tsunami in its coastline.
"The exercise will test the municipality’s earthquake emergency plans through a demonstration of response capabilities in the event of a strong earthquake and tsunami. OCD once again reiterates the importance of public participation in capacity building activities like NSED," Nepomuceno said.
Nepomuceno urged stakeholders including academic institutions, business establishments, government offices, and all households to participate in the drill and conduct earthquake and evacuation exercises in their respective areas.
The fourth quarter NSED is conducted every November in line with the observance of the World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) every Nov. 5.
The OCD, which serves as the implementing arm of the NDRRMC, implements various capacity building programs and activities for the public including the quarterly NSED which seeks to educate Filipinos on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake strikes.
During NSED, earthquake emergency plans and interoperability of rescue teams are being tested through demonstrations of response capabilities on command and control systems and processes.