TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — The preparedness and response strategies of the Tuguegarao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Cagayan United Doctors Medical Center were tested in a comprehensive drill focused on earthquake and fire incidents.
The exercise was part of the 2025 first-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill organized by the Office of Civil Defense.
Michael Conag, civil defense officer and drill coordinator, said the city government effectively implemented its response protocols, including search and rescue operations and a patient referral system during the drill.
The CUDMC, on the other hand, also conducted fire suppression and evacuation scenario simulations, testing its emergency procedures and the process of attending to patients referred from disaster situations.
“This drill provided valuable insights and practical experience for both the city’s emergency response teams and hospital personnel, ensuring that they are well-prepared to handle earthquake and fire-related emergencies,” Conag said.
He also said the drill reinforced the importance of timely and coordinated responses to safeguard the community during times of crisis.
Various government agency representatives who are members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Cagayan Valley served as evaluators of the drill, giving input on how to further improve response mechanisms.
The evaluators lauded the well-executed drill, especially the coordination of the city government with hospitals in referring and attending to patients who were victims of calamities. (OTB/PIA Region 2)
