TACLOBAN CITY - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region VIII, in collaboration with the City Government of Tacloban, conducted a comprehensive mock drill on Friday, November 3, in preparation for the upcoming 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) and Tsunami Awareness Day Activities scheduled for November 9, 2023.
The primary objective of the mock drill was to "fine-tune" and equip the participants, including school children from Rizal Central School, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, accredited disaster/emergency response teams (D/ERTs) in the city, and various national government agencies, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, for their active involvement in the impending nationwide drill.
This year's NSED holds particular significance as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda, a historic disaster event. The NSED seeks to bolster the disaster preparedness and response capacity of local government and D/ERTs, aiming to ensure swift and effective disaster response in the face of adversity.
One of the standout moments of the event on November 9 will be the "ceremonial pressing of the button" at the Tacloban City Convention Center (Astrodome), which will signify the commencement of the earthquake drill. This symbolic act will underscore the critical importance of readiness and coordination during potential seismic events.
The November 9 event is expected to draw notable figures, including Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Mayor Alfred Romualdez, and regional directors of the OCD, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
With just days left until the NSED and Tsunami Awareness Day, this mock drill in Tacloban sets the stage for a more prepared and resilient community, underscoring the significance of disaster readiness and cooperation in safeguarding lives and property during critical times. —iTacloban (Source: CIO)