SM Olongapo joins nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill

The conduct of an earthquake drill allows everyone to understand how to react correctly and automatically when an earthquake strikes. Under the mandate of the Republic Act 10121 or “The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”, preparedness and mitigation are the key strategies in reducing disaster risks, thus the need for earthquake drills.

Pursuant to the mandate, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) conducted the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) in Olongapo on July 22, 2015 in cooperation with SM City Olongapo, being one of the biggest establishments in the city, Columban College and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital. SM employees, affiliates, tenants and agencies followed the proper evacuation procedures as well as practiced their learnings in the previous drills.

It can be recalled that SM conducts fire and earthquake drills twice a year and will continue every year just as other SM malls all over the Philippines have been doing to prepare and educate employees and tenants if an earthquake strikes. By being able to identify potential hazards one can greatly reduce the chances of becoming a fire and earthquake casualty.

The drill was meant to test the National Disaster Response Plan as well as to highlight the capability of the establishments in responding to emergency situation especially in the management of the Incident Command System.

“Natural disasters occur in the Philippines every year and can have a devastating effect on everyone, that is why, it is important to check the level of preparedness of the building where a lot of customers come every day and thousands of employees are employed, as well as train the tenants, affiliates and agency personnel on how to act during these difficult times,” Irvin Paras of DRRMO said. (Press Release)