The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded local government units (LGUs) and its regional offices that the conduct of in-person or physical National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) is now allowed after three years of suspension due to the pandemic.
In an advisory, the DILG emphasized that face-to-face NSED activities are already permitted based on a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) directive.
“Pursuant to NDRRMC Memorandum No. 006 s. 2023, dated Feb. 1, 2023, the conduct of in-person NSED is already allowed, provided ‘that the minimum health protocols, such as, but not limited to, handwashing and social distancing are strictly implemented as much as practicable, to ensure effective, efficient and safe implementation of the NSED,” DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan explained.
In the advisory, LGUs and the DILG Regional Offices were directed to assign their respective “Safety and Health Officers’’ to ensure that the minimum health protocols against Covid-19 are maintained while the simultaneous earthquake drills are in progress.
“The active participation of all disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs), including the barangay DRRM committees, is strongly encouraged,” he added.
The NDRRMC has organized the quarterly NSED that strengthens the level of awareness and preparedness to address the situation in the event earthquakes occur.
The 1st Quarter NSED was conducted on March 09, 2023 while the 2nd Quarter NSED is slated on June 8, 20023.
Meanwhile, the 3rd Quarter NSED is set on Sept. 7, 2023 and the 4th Quarter NSED is scheduled on Nov. 9, 2023.
Being the vice-chair of the Disaster Preparedness of the NDRRMC, the DILG is expected to further boost the LGUs’ capacity and guide them in establishing their disaster preparedness and resiliency measures in their localities.
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., asserted that the NSED is an opportune time to gauge the strength, readiness and importance of having disaster response measures in the LGUs.
“Because of our location, our country is among the most vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes. This is why our LGUs should prioritize programs aimed at strengthening their disaster risk reduction and management,” Abalos lamented.
Abalos stated that the DILG expects the LGUs to participate in the conduct of the quarterly NSED to develop the country’s “culture of disaster resilience’’ at the grassroot level.