A SIMULTANEOUS and nationwide earthquake and tsunami drill will be held on Nov. 14 to test the preparedness and resiliency of all sectors in performing protocols in times of disasters. The drill comes weeks after parts of Mindanao experienced powerful tremors.
We urge everyone to participate and take the earthquake drill seriously. Earthquakes can occur without warning, there is no way to predict what will happen when it does, but there is a way to be able to survive strong temblors and minimize casualties and damages.
We need to accept that we are constantly exposed to natural hazards but we do not have to live in perpetual fear of it. There are ways that can help us become proactive to addressing these natural hazards so they would not turn into disasters. We need to take disaster preparedness seriously and cooperation among all sectors of society is very important
A regular conduct of fire and earthquake drills is better – in schools, offices and residential communities. This would effectively instill disaster preparedness among citizens.
Aside from making earthquake drills regular, we must also have warning systems for earthquake and tsunami; determine open spaces for safe refuge when temblors occur; and craft evacuation plans that would help citizens find out the fastest and safest way to reach open spaces and other safe areas.
We must institutionalize safety drills – in all educational and healthcare facilities, government institutions, private companies, local government units and even households.
Being prepared means that when a natural hazard such as an earthquake strikes, every citizen would know what to do and where to go, and that government agencies, both national and local, are ready to respond.
