CAPIZ – Almost 10,000 students of the Capiz State University main campus and Capiz National High School joined the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at Villareal Stadium in Roxas City on Thursday, November 14.
Regional Director Raul E. Fernandez of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas, led the earthquake drill himself together with the management of the two schools.
The NSED, supported by Gov. Fredenil Castro who was represented by Provincial Administrator Atty. Arthur John H. Biñas, was also in coordination with the Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit led by Atty. Shiela Artillero.
The drill aims to teach students the proper way to keep safe, particularly the basic “duck, cover, and hold on” technique, in case earthquakes and other calamities strike.
It included a fire scenario and a collapsed structure rescue to practice evacuation, fire control, and search and rescue operations. These activities, OCD-6 said, highlighted the roles of response teams in protecting and assisting those affected.
“Our efforts today show the importance of preparedness at all levels. By holding these drills, we aim to strengthen readiness in our schools and communities,” said Fernandez.
Others that joined the drill were the Roxas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), municipal DRRMOs, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Education, Capiz State University, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Public Works and Highways, and media partners, among others./PN
