5,000 employees participate in Pasay LGU earthquake drill

 
Around 5,000 employees of the Pasay City government joined  the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday, March 9.
 
Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano led the face-to-face simulation drill, which aims to strengthen the capacities of all sectors to reduce the risks and impacts brought about by earthquakes.
 
“The simulation drill will  equip the employees to deal with a possible catastrophic earthquake, or the Big One, that may hit the country,” Rubiano said.
 
The mayor said the NSED will be held quarterly in the city, requiring representatives of various departments through the Pasay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to practice the tabletop exercise for decision-making scenarios in the event of a strong earthquake.
 
“This is a simple but truly effective protocol. It can save or minimize injuries and casualties in case a strong earthquake occurs,” Rubiano added.
 
Following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, the city government vowed to comply with the directives of different national agencies in preparing for the Big One. It gives seminars and lectures on disaster preparedness and organizes the possible deployment of urban search and rescue teams.
 
The mayor said the drill will give people proper skills to respond and manage the effects of catastrophic earthquakes.
 
“Participants will be able to assess their preparedness in the event of strong tremor. Hindi lamang ito paghahanda para sasarili natin, kundi pati na rin sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Maililigtas natin sila sa tiyak na panganib kung tayo ay may sapat na kaalaman sa paghahanda, (This is not only preparations for ourselves but for our loved ones. We can help them if we all have knowledge on disaster preparedness),” Rubiano said.