DILG urges LGUs, public to join nationwide quake drill

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is enjoining all local government units (LGUs) to participate in the upcoming Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 2 PM.

With the ceremonial venue in Davao City, DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy says that the nationwide drill shall serve as an opportunity to test the contingency plans of the government especially that of the local disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs) while heightening the public’s awareness against earthquake hazards.

“Given today’s challenges, we shall support every preparedness activity to ensure that our defenses against disasters are in place and working. LGUs always have the important role of instilling in their constituents the significance of disaster preparedness together with the national government,” says Cuy.

Cuy likewise encourages the public to take part in the drill along with its information drive dubbed as the Bida ang Handa campaign spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the 2017 NSED.

#BidaAngHanda is the official hashtag for this year’s NSED.

The #BidaAngHanda campaign aims to promote public participation and popularize the conduct of the NSED through social media by posting a photo or video reflecting a preparedness activity with the statement “Magda-DUCK-COVER-HOLD kami sa June 29, 2PM! Dahil bida and handa!”

The campaign is expected to stir public attention and disseminate proper knowledge on earthquake preparedness, as well as gauge public perception of the government’s DRRM activities.

The NSED is a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)-led activity held quarterly to increase the public’s preparedness against earthquake hazards and to strengthen coordination among government agencies and other stakeholders in the light of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. | DILG

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