ILOILO — Weaknesses in emergency communications, rescue operations and evacuation procedures will come under scrutiny as the Iloilo Provincial Government stages a simulated magnitude-7.0 earthquake this Thursday, November 5, to test its readiness for a major disaster.
The fourth-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), scheduled for 9 a.m., will cover the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Casa Real de Iloilo and the National Museum of the Philippines–Iloilo.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) officer-in-charge Dr. Alfonso R. Baldonado III said the exercise aims to expose operational shortcomings before an actual earthquake strikes, allowing authorities to strengthen coordination among government agencies and emergency responders.
Under the simulation, a magnitude-7.0 earthquake will strike the Capitol, leaving several employees injured in different sections of the building.
Emergency responders will be tasked with locating and rescuing the simulated victims, while health personnel will administer first aid and emergency treatment before transporting them to nearby hospitals.
Baldonado said particular attention will be given to communication systems, which could become unreliable during a powerful earthquake because of disrupted telecommunications signals and electrical outages.
“This is why as much as possible naga-prepare kita sa posible nga scenario,” he said.
The exercise will assess how effectively emergency teams can coordinate rescue and medical operations under such conditions.
Baldonado said the provincial government has consistently participated in quarterly earthquake drills over the past three years, helping Capitol employees become familiar with the standard “Duck, Cover, and Hold” procedure.
However, despite rthe employees’ familiarity with earthquake safety procedures, Baldonado emphasized the importance of repeated exercises to reinforce preparedness and identify areas requiring improvement.
He also acknowledged the support of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., who provided hard hats for employees and Capitol visitors participating in the drills.
The protective equipment allows participants to evacuate without having to cover their heads with their hands, helping facilitate a more orderly movement toward designated evacuation areas.
Thursday’s exercise will be the provincial government’s fourth and final quarterly earthquake drill for 2026./PN
