PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY CARAGA/ FACEBOOK
The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), on Thursday launched the regional conduct of the 4th quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
Officials said the municipality was chosen as the ceremonial site as part of the RDRRMC’s push to strengthen disaster readiness and resilience across all sectors in the region.
According to the Philippine Information Agency–Caraga, today’s drill will assess the readiness and alertness of Claver in responding to emergencies.
Drill evaluators will observe government offices, schools and other facilities to gauge their level of preparedness during a major earthquake scenario.
Authorities said the drill also aims to identify gaps in local response systems and improve coordination among frontline agencies.
Competence in emergency operations will be tested through real-life simulations, including vehicular accidents and drowning incidents.
Responders will also undergo high-angle rope rescue demonstrations to evaluate their capability in handling complex emergencies.
Local officials said the drill is part of efforts to instill a culture of safety among communities.
They added that lessons learned from the exercise will guide improvements in disaster protocols.
The RDRRMC said it hopes the exercise will help strengthen overall regional resilience in the face of natural hazards.