Benguet hosts 2nd quarter regional NSED

OFFICE of the Civil Defense in the Cordillera through the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is set to conduct the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on June 21 with the Benguet National High School as its pilot area.

OCD-CAR information officer Ivy Frances Carasi said around 2,500 students of the Benguet National High School is expected to undergo with the drill while some 227,000 individuals in the region will likewise conduct the drill in their respective areas.

“This quarter’s NSED aims to test the efficiency of regional plans and systems developed. It also seeks to highlight the capabilities and efforts of responders and stakeholders to promote disaster preparedness at the regional level,” Carasi said.

OCD-CAR reiterated the need for preparedness for large scale disasters such as strong earthquakes needing a whole of society effort to which the regular conduct of an earthquake drill is necessary for the public’s awareness and preparedness to improve the response plans of local government and

organizations through continuous testing and refining of plans.

“The second quarter nationwide simultaneous Earthquake drill will be headed by the La Trinidad Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council aside from other government line agencies. Simultaneous simulation exercises and search and rescue operations will also be conduct d during the drill aside from the Duck-Cover Hold procedure,” Carasi added.

OCD-Car will also roll out the ‘Bida ang Handa’ campaign which generally aims to promote disaster preparedness through public’s participation in the NSED.

During the first quarter NSED in February, close to 270,000 individuals coming from schools, government and nongovernment institutions in the Cordillera participated in the activity.