AN OFFICIAL of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) suggested that the earthquake drills should be conducted by surprise.

Engineer Allan Rommel Labayog, Phivolcs-Zamboanga science research analyst, said it is to really assess the preparedness of the first responder agencies and institutions.

Labayog said the participants will be complacent with the conduct of scheduled earthquake drills.

He said the occurrence of earthquake is unpredictable.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is scheduled to conduct on June 21 simultaneous earthquake drills nationwide for schools and offices.

The drill is the second for this year as the NDRRMC is mandated the conduct of four earthquake drills annually or one every quarter.

Earthquake is a geological hazard where there is the sudden movement of rocks below the earth's surface, which could cause damage to property and death. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)