THE Office of the Civil Defense Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) expects more than 100,000 participants for the simultaneous first quarter earthquake drill in the region starting 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 31.
OCD-CAR information officer Frances Ivy Carasi said the earthquake drill is in compliance with the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 which states "public awareness should be undertaken thru drills."
Institutions in the region joining the 30 minutes drill are Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), municipality of La Trinidad, Saint Louis University (SLU), University of Baguio (UB) and other private and government offices in the region.
Part of the regional incident management team which will help assess the drill are Bureau of Fire Protection Cordillera (BFP-CAR), Philippine National Red Cross, Baguio Benguet Public Information and Civic Action Group (BB-PICAG) and OCD-CAR.
In Baguio City, the pilot area of the drill is University of Baguio (UB) Elementary and Science High School.
Carasi said at least three fault lines which traverse Cordillera are being monitored which can cause strong quakes in the region.
Carasi added the awareness of the public through the drill will help them save properties and lives during an earthquake.
During the drill, the management team will also see the capabilities of different offices on rescue and evacuation plans during an earthquake.