It’s all systems go for the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as it is set to hold this year’s first quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Thursday, March 14, and the focus will be on Laguna’s ability to integrate its response capabilities with Metro Manila in case of the “Big One”.

OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said Santa Rosa City, Laguna will be the venue of the ceremonial pressing of the button to showcase new components in the exercise.

“We are situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making us susceptible to various disasters, including earthquakes,” Nepomuceno stated. “As of December 2024, the Philippines has a risk index of 9.7 out of 10 for earthquakes. This underscores the urgency of our preparations, especially with the looming threat of the 'Big One'—a potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake.”

The OCD is going out of the usual locations in Metro Manila for the ceremonial pressing of the button to mark the start of the exercise as it aims to enhance the involvement of other regions in the endeavor. Last year, the ceremony for the first quarter NSED was held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; the second and third iterations in Pasig City; and the fourth in Camiguin.

This time, the full-scale exercise will encompass a range of scenarios, including aerial damage assessments, hazardous materials response, collapsed structure search and rescue, jailbreak scenarios, vehicle extrication, and the evacuation of school children with learning difficulties.

Nepomuceno said the inclusion of various stakeholders “marks a notable improvement, reflecting the government’s commitment to a more inclusive approach to disaster management.”

Nepomuceno reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bolstering disaster preparedness through collaboration with private sector and community stakeholders.

“Earthquake drills are vital in equipping the public with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to major seismic events,” he remarked. “These exercises are instrumental in saving lives and minimizing damage during earthquakes.”

He urged the public to heed the guidance of national and local governments in preparation for the 'Big One' and other potential earthquakes.

“Earthquakes strike without warning. Let us unite with the government to build a prepared and resilient Philippines capable of facing any seismic challenges ahead,” Nepomuceno concluded.