DIPOLOG CITY, June 8 (PIA) - It's Sergio Osmeña National High School this time around for the 2nd quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) in Zamboanga del Norte province.

More than a thousand students, including teachers took the challenge in doing the duck, cover and hold, among other simulation exercises as part of the quarterly earthquake drill spearheaded by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and participated by different government agencies.

The earthquake drill started with the pressing of a ceremonial button and the echoing sound of the siren, prompting the student-participants, teachers, local government officials and employees, and other participating government agencies to be in position as instructed in the simulation exercises.

Designated teams from the PDRRMO, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Red Cross, among others performed rescue operations of real-life scenarios and evacuation of trapped individuals, including transportation of injured victims in ambulances.

Evaluators lauded the decisive actions and collaborative effort of all the participants that were put to the test in the simulation exercise. They gave it a high rating as compared to the previous earthquake drills.

The first quarter NSED took place on March 9 at Piñan National High School, which also received a positive assessment result and a 'job well done' from the evaluators. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)