Led by the RITM Health Emergency Management Office (HEMO), the Institute participated in the first Online National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) conducted on March 10, 2022 at 10AM. NSED is an initiative under the Department of National Defense’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

“Bahagi ng pakiki-cooperate ng RITM sa nationwide earthquake preparedness plans ng NDRRMC, nakikilahok po tayo sa nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill. Inaanyayahan po natin ang bawat isa na makilahok sa earthquake drill nang makasiguro po tayo na handa po tayo kung sakaling magkaroon ng lindol,” said Director Celia Carlos, calling for active participation of staff. 

Various departments and operating units in RITM performed the “duck, cover, and hold” exercise within their respective work stations after the short virtual lecture on earthquake and disaster preparedness. In-person earthquake drills are currently suspended due to the ongoing pandemic.

Located within the Ring of Fire or the typhoon belt, the Philippines is among of the world’s most disaster-prone countries and the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act (RA 10121) was enacted in response. NDRRMC conducts NSED as part of its disaster preparedness efforts to improve the local communities’ earthquake preparedness and to strengthen multilevel coordination, as mandated by this law. 

by Reina Manongsong, Communication and Engagement Office