The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) convened a nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill today, July 02, 2014 to usher in a string of events advocating disaster consciousness. Held at Roxas Boulevard in Manila City, it was hosted by Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the City Government of Manila.

An exercise depicting possible scenarios when the west valley fault will move was the first event in the line-up of activities. This includes a fire simulation showing the proper ways to respond when fire occurs. There was also a simulation of vehicular accidents between a bus and a chemical truck demonstrating action in case of chemical spillage. Also featured were ways to evacuate tenants from a collapsing building at the onset of an earthquake. There was also simulation on how to rescue an injured person from a building using the method of rappelling.

The second part of the activity was a short program attended by the representatives of the different government agencies involved in disaster response. The DSWD-Central Office was represented by Asec. Vilma Cabrera while the DSWD-NCR delegation was led by Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan together with Mr. Bienvenido V. Barbosa, OIC of Disaster Response Unit. Other guests were MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, USEC Alexander P. Pama, Executive Director of NDRRMC and USEC Eduardo Batac of the Department of National Defense, representing Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin.

In his welcome address, Manila City mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada was optimistic on the celebration of National Disaster Consciousness Month, which has a flagship theme “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran”. For Mayor Estrada, this could serve as a reminder that the environment is not always peaceful or friendly. “We cannot just stand and do a body count when another “Yolanda” strikes our shores. Thorough preparations, decisive action and timely response are needed in any natural disaster.” he added. ###