ZAMBOANGA CITY – Local and national government personnel and the business sector joined the third quarterly earthquake drill here on Thursday, Sept. 11.
At the sound of the siren, City Hall employees went out of their offices and executed the duck, cover, and hold move while moving to open spaces outside the building.
Personnel from other offices such as police stations not only evacuated but also conducted simulation exercises in case of injuries during an earthquake.
Business establishments, together with tenants and customers, evacuated to a designated zone outside.
The activity, led by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Office of Civil Defense, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, emphasized the need to enhance preparedness among all sectors in case of disasters.
Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office held a rescue Olympics on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex here.
A total of 42 rescue teams performed various activities such as victim carry, victim access, firefighting, water rescue, and medical response.
The activity aimed to build camaraderie, strengthen capacities of participants, and promote disaster preparedness.
It was the culminating activity of the four-day Rescue Summit Disaster Resilience Forum in a hotel.