By Alec Go
Establishments and schools from both the government and private sectors participated Thursday, June 8, on the Second Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) 2023 to boost preparedness for disasters.
This is the second NSED this year following the first drill last March 9 led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the regular conduct of earthquake drills prepares the nation for the impact of disasters, as he noted the possibility of “The Big One” taking place.
“Ito yung mga malalaking posibleng mga panganib na magdudulot ng maraming kamatayan o kasiraan ng mga ari-arian,” he said, noting that the last “Big One” happened in the 1600s and with the West Valley Fault moving every 400 to 600 years.
“Malapit na tayo doon sa 400 taong lower limit at posibleng magkaroon ng malakas na lindol dito sa ating henerasyon… Ang kailangan, paghandaan natin ito,” he added.
“We Filipinos must learn to imagine and anticipate the risks based on science, based on evidence. If we internalize the impacts of disasters on our families, on our livelihood, then we can be more convinced to prepare appropriately and efficiently,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, new Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chairperson Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged the public to cooperate in disaster preparedness activities in communities.
“[Hindi] lamang sa mga gawaing kagaya ng NSED, kundi pati na rin sa mga aktibidad ng inyong mga komunidad bilang pag-iingat sa mga panganib at sakuna, pati na ang maaaring pagkalat muli ng COVID-19,” said Teodoro, as read by Defense Usec. Angelito de Leon.
The conduct of NSED began in 2005.
Among the activities held are “duck, cover, and hold” drills, as well as rescue operations.
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