ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 8 (PIA) – The City of Zamboanga participates in an earthquake drill today (June 8) in observance of the second quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED).
The buzzing of the alarm siren in City Hall signaled the start of the drill with various departments occupying the main and annex buildings of the City Hall, chosen by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) as pilot sites for the 2nd quarter NSED activity in the city.
The City Government of Zamboanga actively participates in the quarterly conduct of NSED as it is one of the priorities of mayor Dalipe's administration. The public is continuously reminded to participate in this activity especially the local government units to prepare their barangays in times of disaster, specifically during earthquakes.
Other private and business institutions like SM City Mall also participated in the drill in support of the national and local governments programs.
The activity is aimed to promote earthquake and tsunami preparedness while observing the public health precautionary measures in their respective agencies and institutions.
The conduct of the NSED is based on RDRRMC-9 Memorandum 005, series 2023 issued by Office of Civil Defense-9 Director Ramon Ochotorena specifying the CY 2023 schedule and resumption of the conduct of traditional (in-person) nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill and encouraging the active participation of all DRRMCs at all levels including the Barangay DRRMCs as well as national government agencies and other government entities.
Further, in line with the city’s thrust in disaster preparedness, they officially unveiled the evacuation center for the Sta. Maria cluster in barangay Pasonanca which is the 3rd facility to be inaugurated in the city. The P5.35 million project intended to cater to residents of Cabatanga, Tumaga, Dulian-Upper Pasonanca, San Roque, Sta. Maria and Pasonanca in times of calamities or disasters.
Mayor Dalipe urged the barangays concerned to take good care of the facility and to make sure that it serves its intended purpose, as he promised to pursue the construction of more evacuation centers in other barangays to provide safe harbor to people affected by calamities. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City/with reports from Zambo City Gov’t-LGU)