West Valley Fault

Communities across the Philippines are being encouraged to actively take part in the upcoming National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) scheduled for March 12, as disaster response authorities strengthen public preparedness against earthquakes and related hazards.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) is calling on local government units, national agencies, schools, and private stakeholders to join the nationwide exercise. The drill aims to help communities practice emergency response procedures and improve coordination during earthquake scenarios.

Why the Earthquake Drill Matters

Authorities emphasize that regular earthquake drills are essential in building quick response habits among the public. According to disaster management officials, repeated practice helps people react instinctively during emergencies.

Civil Defense Operations Section chief Melissa Banias highlighted the importance of developing automatic responses during disasters.

“We teach them to develop muscle memory on what to do in case of earthquakes,” she said.

Schools remain among the most active participants in the exercise, largely due to policies of the Department of Education, which require educational institutions to conduct disaster preparedness drills regularly.

Real-Life Test of Preparedness

Recent events demonstrated the value of these exercises. During a magnitude 4.8 earthquake earlier this week, students quickly evacuated school buildings and moved to designated safe areas—an indication that preparedness programs are making an impact.

Officials noted that growing awareness about disaster readiness has led to increased requests from institutions seeking evaluators and technical assistance to improve their emergency protocols.

Aklan to Host Regional Launch

For Western Visayas, the regional ceremonial launch of the March 12 earthquake drill will take place in Aklan at 3:30 p.m.

The simulation will include evacuation procedures during an earthquake scenario complicated by a fire incident, allowing participants to practice handling multiple hazards at once.

Disaster response authorities hope the nationwide exercise will reinforce safety awareness and strengthen community resilience in earthquake-prone areas of the country.

Source: pna.gov.ph