QUEZON CITY -- For the first time since the pandemic, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will hold the Third Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill face-to-face on September 8, 2022, 9:00 A.M at the Ayala Property Management Corporation Headquarters, Makati City. This will be live streamed via Civil Defense PH and NDRRMC Facebook pages.

Stakeholders are encouraged to conduct drills simultaneously in support of the NSED while strictly observing minimum public health standards.

The NDRRMC calls on academic institutions, businesses, private and government offices to ensure compliance to minimum public health standards while conducting evacuation drills.

“Sa darating na September 8, 2022, alas nuwebe ng umaga, ay ating isasagawang muli ang Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill bilang ating patuloy na paghahanda sa banta ng lindol. Magsasagawa tayo ng face-to-face ceremonial pressing of the button at evacuation drill sa Ayala Property Management Corporation, Makati City. Sa pangunguna ng mga lokal na pamahalaan, akademikong institusyon, at mga pribado at pampublikong tanggapan, inaanyayahan ang buong sambayanan na makiisa sa NSED at siguruhin ang pagtalima sa itinakdang minimum public health standards,” Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Operations and NDRRMC Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said.

The NDRRMC also clarifies that they may opt not to conduct evacuation drills if the circumstances do not permit.

“Bagaman, magsisimula na tayong magsagawa ng face-to-face NSED sa Makati. At ating hinihikayat na ang evacuation drill matapos ang ating karaniwang pagda-Duck, Cover, and Hold. Aming nililinaw na hindi mandatory ang pagsasagawa ng evacuation drill. Nasa desisyon ito ng mga institusyon at mga tanggapan na silang mag-a-assess sa sitwasyon kung maaari bang maisagawa ang evacuation drill. Kung hindi man, gaya ng ating mga nagdaang NSED nitong pandemya, maaari nilang panoorin ang livestream ng ceremonial pressing of the button at isagawa na lamang ang Duck, Cover, and Hold,” he added.

Meanwhile, a disaster preparedness webinar will also be held on September 5, 2022, 9:00AM. The public may watch the webinar through Civil Defense PH and NDRRMC Facebook pages. (NDRRMC)