DUMAGUETE City, particularly Foundation University, was chosen by the Negros Island Region (NIR) as host to the third national simultaneous earthquake drill scheduled on Wednesday, September 28, throughout the country.
Engr. Jose Chu, of the Dumaguete City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC), confirmed this while making the final preparations and coordination meetings with school officials for the big event.
Aside from holding regular earthquake and fire drills every year, the university was recommended to host the national simultaneous earthquake drill because the administration is very receptive when it comes to preparations against calamities.
The drills will start at 9 a.m. with a one-minute siren during which all the students are expected to duck, cover and hold. After which, they will start to vacate their rooms and go to the designated evacuation area.
There will be simulations for rescue of "victims" from the building through rappelling, as well as firefighting for possible fire that will occur after the earthquake.
Chu said they are expecting 20 or more representatives from the NIR coming from different agencies in government to witness the activity on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, disaster responders from disaster risk reduction management councils coming from the two provinces of NIR are expected to attend a convergence summit in Dumaguete starting Tuesday, September 27, to elect their regional officers.
Negros Oriental disaster responders coming from 25 local government units (LGUs), headed by Adrian Sedillo, was formed as a federation, while the 32 LGUs of Negros Occidental also have their own federation.
They will be federated as one and will elect their regional officers on Thursday this week. (PNA)