THE Provincial Government of Pampanga headed by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda staged the second quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at the Bren Z. Guiao convention center here on Thursday, May 9, 2021, with over 200 people participating in the duck, cover, and hold procedure.

The drill was facilitated by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) headed by Angelina Blanco.

Drill participants were Kapampangan locals who were getting immunizations at the convention center, which was designated as a vaccination center.

"Every quarter meron tayong NSED at magandang opportunity ito ngayon na nasa public place tayo tulad ng vaccination center na matuturuan natin ang mga tao kung ano ang mga dapat na preparasyon at gagawin lalong lalo na kapag may earthquake. Importante 'to unang-una para sa proteksyon ng mga tao, hindi nila alam at hindi natin alam kung kalian magaganap ang isang earthquake“ said Blanco.

Apart from conducting the duck, cover, and hold actions during the drill, the participants were also encouraged to pray by Blanco.

Residents who took part in the drill expressed gratitude to the provincial government for demonstrating the method, saying that the knowledge they learned would be useful in the event of a disaster.

“Maragul a bage ita emu balu kung kapilan datang ing earthquake a iyan lalu na kung maragul ya ing pamilya ku bang balu mu makananu mula iave bang turu mula nang gawan da,” according to Maria Markita, a vaccinee.

“For safety purposes po, dapat lagi tayong handa kapag may earthquake,” added another vaccinee, Mary Anne Mutuc.

In April 2019, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck majority of Central Luzon, including Pampanga, causing major damage to residences and infrastructure.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is spearheading the NSED with the aim to "continuously inculcate public earthquake readiness throughout the pandemic." (PR)