By Mary Judalyn Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY – Public schools in this city are using the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) to strengthen their preparedness for the annual Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Olympics, a Department of Education (DepEd) official said here on Thursday.
Sean Adrian Guardiano, DepEd-Dumaguete City Division’s DRRM coordinator, said in an interview that all public schools in the city participated in the fourth-quarter NSED.
Some schools also conducted simulated first-aid and emergency response activities with assistance from personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
“Aside from the NSED, we also conduct mandated, unannounced monthly earthquake drills to ensure continuity of learners’ and teachers’ emergency readiness and protocols,” Guardiano said.
In March, the division held its DRRM Olympics, bringing together participating schools for disaster preparedness activities. The Bureau of Fire Protection conducted training sessions on firefighting, basic bandaging, first aid, and proper use of fire extinguishers.
The competition featured simulated fire and earthquake emergencies to assess participants’ knowledge and response capabilities.
Guardiano said the next DRRM Olympics is scheduled for the end of the first quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Oriental also participated in the earthquake drill in Bayawan City, which included a tsunami simulation.
Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, commander of the Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental, said the exercise aimed to strengthen Coast Guard personnel’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
The PCG substation in Bayawan deployed its water assets for a simulated emergency involving a collapsed bridge and multiple casualties.
Bayawan City served as the ceremonial site for the Negros Island Region’s fourth-quarter NSED.
Officials from the Office of Civil Defense attended the event, along with Bayawan City Mayor Jack Raymond and other local government officials.
Enopia said the exercise also enabled participating agencies to assess their preparedness and response plans, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen interagency coordination. (PNA)
