Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) - 9 Regional Director Ramon D. Ochotorena emphasized this during his remarks in the observance of 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) and Tsunami Awareness Day at Barangay Baybay, Liloy Zamboanga Del Norte on Thursday, November 10.
“We are now ranking number 1 most hazardous country in the world and this is not good! That’s why there must be a simultaneous conduct of earthquake drill to attain high level of awareness among our people in the community during disasters,” Director Ochotorena said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council encouraged the public to join and involve in the NSED exercise to know their roles and participation in the community during unexpected occurrence of a real earthquake and other natural calamities.
“Remember, our country experiences earthquake everyday and we have to be prepared for the strong ones,” the Director stressed.
He also shared that when he saw the map of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) in the region, there are identified spots both in land and sea – an indication that there will be earthquakes to happen, mentioning the towns of Liloy, Siocon, and Sibuco of Zamboanga Del Norte province.
Further, the Tsunami drill was also exercised at the venue with the participation of the municipal and some national government employees.
“We need to enhance our local coordination from LGUs to the communities and to inform people on the things they must do during disasters and this is the call and advocacy of President Marcos Jr.,” Ochotorena said. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Pagadian City)
