Last April, Eastern Visayas was struck by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. While there were no reported casualties, the incident highlighted the need for earthquake safety, especially since earthquakes occur without warning.
Recently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development participated in the 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) by conducting its own in-house drill. During the drill, DSWD’s field office staff were trained on how to drop, cover and hold during an actual earthquake and on how to properly evacuate from the buildings to the designated evacuation area.
DSWD staff were also trained on how to respond to the effects of the earthquake. During the simulation, DSWD staff set up an Incident Command Post, where a designated Incident Commander oversaw the operations needed to respond to the earthquake, including checking the safety of the building, putting out fires caused by the earthquake, search and rescue for wounded personnel and the transportation of wounded personnel to the hospital.
The drill was led by DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division, which also conducted the agency’s first in-house earthquake drill last February (read about it here: https://fo8.dswd.gov.ph/2019/02/drop-cover-hold-dswd-conducts-earthquake-drill/)
The drill was evaluated by advisors from various agencies – including the Department of Education, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Army. These advisors also provided their feedback and valuable insight on the strengths and the areas of improvement in earthquake response.
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photo credits to Jamie Evangelista
