CAMIGUIN (PIA) — Anticipating the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) scheduled for November 14, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 conducted a preparatory meeting with key stakeholders to finalize plans for a full-scale disaster simulation and rescue exercise on October 28.
This large-scale event, set to take place at the Cong. PPR Tourism and Sports Complex in Mambajao at 2:00 p.m., is designed to evaluate the readiness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its partner agencies in handling a major disaster scenario. OCD-10 aims to engage 631 participants in this critical exercise, underscoring the importance of public safety and disaster preparedness.
The exercise will focus on testing vital disaster response elements, such as communication protocols, equipment functionality, coordination mechanisms, and resource mobilization.
High-level officials, including Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian, and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., are expected to attend.
The scenario for the drill centers around Camiguin’s Hibok-Hibok Volcano, an active volcanic site that has recently shown signs of potential eruption. “In the past three weeks, DOST-PHIVOLCS has been recording a swarm of earthquakes and subterranean rumblings in Hibok-Hibok Volcano. Residents are experiencing increased frequency and intensity of ground shaking. Videos showing the drying of wells and vegetation around the volcano are circulating on social media,” OCD-10 Regional Director Antonio Sugarol said.
He added that this level indicates an eruption may be possible within days or weeks. Thus, the exercise will simulate responses to both volcanic eruption and earthquake scenarios, aiming to strengthen the NDRRMC’s and local government units’ disaster management capabilities.
The Incident Management Team (IMT) will coordinate the response from both local and national levels during the drill, ensuring seamless communication and rapid mobilization. Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) teams will conduct rescue operations, including tsunami response, collapsed structure rescue, evacuation, high-angle rescue, water rescues, and vehicle extrications.
Emergency communications will be tested between the Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) at various levels, from provincial to municipal, as well as with regional disaster management offices and other external partners.
“In addition, response clusters, including camp coordination and camp management, will be activated for managing evacuations, conducting relief operations, and ensuring logistics flow efficiently. Key health teams and emergency medical services will assess their capabilities in managing the injured, with further support from food and non-food item distribution teams,” Sugarol said.
Another core focus is testing the efficiency of emergency communication systems to ensure that information flows smoothly within the RDRRMC, local DRRMOs, and external partners for effective response and recovery operations.
Participants will include local disaster risk reduction and management offices from the municipalities of Mambajao, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Sagay, and Catarman, as well as the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council of Camiguin and regional RDRRMC member agencies.
For Camiguin, an island with a history of volcanic activity and seismic risk, Sugarol said the drill emphasizes the region’s commitment to community safety and resilience. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
