DOST supports NDRRMC in virtual nationwide earthquake drill, banners disaster tools in science week
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), is set to wrap up this year’s series of Online Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) with its 4th quarter quake drill on November 11, 2021 with the full support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The virtual drill would take place at 8 a.m. and livestreamed via the OCD (Civil Defense PH) and NDRRMC’s social media pages.
“Magsisimula ang programa nang alas otso nang umaga at isasagawa ang ceremonial pressing of the button nang ganap na alas nuwebe na hudyat ng ating pagda-duck, cover, and hold! (The program will start at 8 a.m. and the ceremonial pressing of the button will be carried out at 9 a.m. to signal the start of duck, cover and hold exercises)”, according to Civil Defense PH posted on Facebook.
While earthquake drill exercises that require physical interactions are still suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency reminded the public that the usual evacuation drill will not be carried out during the NSED day to ensure that participants
adhere to minimum public health standards. Participants watching the livestream are expected to do the ‘duck, cover and hold’ exercises inside their houses and establishments only.
As part of the 4th quarter NSED, a disaster preparedness webinar for Person With Disabilities (PWDs), victims of disasters and calamities, and fisherfolks and the tabletop and communication exercises for San Antonio Zambales, to be attended by Zambales Provincial DRRMC and Regional DRRMC in Central Luzon, will also be conducted on November 9 and 10, 2021 respectively.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) will livestream the following major facilities for earthquake and tsunami monitoring:
- PHIVOLCS Data Receiving Center Main Office (DRC) in Quezon City
- PHIVOLCS Tagaytay Mirror Center in Tagaytay City
- PHIVOLCS Mindanao Cluster Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PMCCET) in Davao City
These seismic stations equipped with state-of-the-art earthquake monitoring instruments and data transmission equipment will be seen live in action via the agency’s Facebook page in participation in the nationwide virtual quake drill.
NDRRMC strongly encourages the public to continuously partake in NSED and other national and community-based preparedness activities and programs that will boost capacities to respond to earthquakes and other disasters.
Incidentally, in support of other disaster preparedness initiatives of the government, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will showcase different disaster management tools from DOST-PHIVOLCS and DOST-PAGASA during the celebration of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) from 22-28 November 2021, that will happen virtually!
The one-week celebration of science and technology carries the theme, ‘’Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon’’, aptly coined as it banners the many innovations, knowledge products and services, and locally developed technologies, not only on disaster preparedness but also in other areas like agriculture, health, industry, enterprise development, education, community empowerment and many more that will surely benefit the participants.
For more information, visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph/. You can also check and follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://web.facebook.com/nstwdost to be more updated. (By Eunice Narvadez, DOST-STII)
