CAMIGUIN (PIA)—The Local Government of Mambajao aims to increase the capacities of individuals, households, and establishments to face calamities by participating in this year’s first quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), March 10.

“Kanunay gyud mi gapahigayon ug drill tungod kay tuyo ug tumong sa among local chief executive nga ang tanang katawhan diri sa Mambajao o kinatibuk-an sa probinsya sa Camiguin kanunay gyung andam sa kalamidad, especially [sa] earthquakes,” Mambajao Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Raquel B. Ranara said during the Lambo Dyes radio program, March 10.

(We regularly conduct earthquake drills in the municipality because it is our local chief executive’s aim that all residents here in Mambajao or the entire province of Camiguin be always prepared for calamities, especially earthquakes)

All municipal office staff and clientele, schools, and other establishments in Mambajao performed the basic ‘Duck, Cover, and Hold’ protocol during the event. However, simulated evacuation and other drill activities have been suspended in observance of COVID-19 minimum public health standards, Ranara said.

She added that about 80% of the 15 barangays in Mambajao were able to participate in the said event. Because earthquake drills are now conducted quarterly, Ranara said their locals have become more proactive in responding to earthquakes and other calamities.  

The MDRRMO also boosts locals’ disaster preparedness by distributing a Preparedness Handbook, containing vital information on what to prepare and how to act in times of calamities, to barangay units, households, and commercial establishments. 

The Makanunayong Serbisyo Alang sa Katawhan (MSAK) program of Mambajao LGU also provides necessary training to establishments and communities to further increase their capacities to deal with tsunamis and earthquakes.

In light of the recent earthquake felt in Mambajao, Ranara urged all to participate in future drills in order to be more prepared for calamities.

“Gina-encourage gyud nako nga kitang tanan mag-participate gyud sa drill kay dili ni siya kalihokan sa gobyerno para lang sa among kaugalingon, kon dili para ni siya sa atong tagsa-tagsa nga kaugalingon,” (I encourage that all of us participate in the drill because this government initiative is not just for us employees, but for all of us) Ranara said. (GDA/PIA-10/Camiguin)