CAMIGUIN (PIA) — To improve readiness at both individual and community levels during disasters, the provincial government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), will host the upcoming nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on November 14.
“It is the first, mao’y una gayud nga drill, simulation, nga sa kadaghan-daghan nga drills nga ilang gihimo, kining pagahimuon nga drill sa Camiguin is very unique. Tungod kay tulo ka scenario ang ilang gahimuon kay sa mga pipila na nga mga tuig, na-confine lang gyud sila, naka-focus lang gyud sila sa earthquake drill,” Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Raquel Ranara said during the Alerto radio program on August 6.
(It is the first drill, a simulation, and among the many drills that they do, this drill that will be done in Camiguin is very unique. Because they will do three scenarios compared to the few that have already had those years; they were really confined; they were really focused on the earthquake drill.)
According to Jejomar Bollozos of the PDRRMO, not only will the region participate, but the national teams will also come to the province. He also highlighted that the drill will span two days, including a rescue march as part of the activities.
In addition to the earthquake drill, Camiguin will also focus on tsunami awareness and test its contingency plans for volcanic eruptions. “We will hold three scenarios in November: an earthquake drill, a volcanic eruption simulation to test our contingency plan, and a tsunami preparedness exercise. We will also select communities to participate,” Bollozos added.
Annie Cesar of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) expressed the excitement of the responders, who have undergone extensive training in recent years. “Ma-test nato ang atong mga kaugalingon kung giunsa nato pagsabot, atong pagpangandam, kung effective ba atoang pagpangandam,” she said.
(This is a chance to test ourselves—our understanding and our preparedness—to see if our preparations are effective.)
She also emphasized that the drills will help identify any gaps in the current disaster response strategies, ensuring that the island is better prepared for potential emergencies.
This event, according to Bollozos, is also crucial to the province because it is near the Bohol fault. This instance has the potential to trigger a magnitude 6.8 earthquake. Such an event could have cascading effects, including volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, making this drill a critical exercise in disaster preparedness for the island’s communities.
Moreover, he added that the upcoming drill in Camiguin will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of current response plans and enhance the skills of local responders, ensuring they are well-prepared to protect the island’s residents in the face of potential natural disasters. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
