DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Thousands of students from both public and private schools in Region XI are expected to participate in the first quarter 2024 Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on March 25.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) XI called for the active involvement of all state colleges and universities, and private schools in the NSED launch this year, through the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI regional director, Ednar G. Dayanghirang, said they have considered a school-based drill with the students as the target participants. This is based on data assessment showing that 80 percent of the population affected by disasters were students.

On the other hand, RMC manager Eric V. Codog accepted the challenge of Council as a pilot site for this year’s first quarter NSED.

“We are ready to accept the challenge of the OCD,” said Codog, expressing his gratitude to the OCD for involving RMC as one of the partner schools. He also assured RDRRMC XI of a continuous partnership in achieving a disaster-resilient region.

Moreover, Dayanghirang reported that they have also issued a memorandum to 44 national government agencies and 54 LGUs in the region for their participation in the activity.

He said that his office continues to coordinate with the Davao City Engineers’ Office of the local government unit to ensure the integrity of school building structures in the city.

Lauron added that from January 1 to March 21, 2024 there have already been 15 recorded earthquake events recorded by PHIVOLCS.

Data from the agency’s website also showed that at 4:14 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PST) on November 17, 2023, a strong earthquake with a magnitude 6.8 shook the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and a large portion of Mindanao.

The earthquake has an epicenter located 28 kilometers southwest of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and has an estimated depth of 63 kilometers. The earthquake was likely generated by the Cotabato Trench. These events had also recorded a number of aftershocks in the region. (KSM and PKBS/PIA Davao)