By Jessa Pacoma and Marico Betonio
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – Samar State University (SSU) performed the “duck, cover and hold” technique again during the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held at SSU today, June 21.
Starting with an introductory, SSU’s DRRMC Officer Mr. Juniel B. Tagarino oriented the faculty about NSED, earthquake, and what to do before, during and after one.
He stated that we need to strengthen efforts on disaster risk reduction specifically earthquake hazards since the Central Samar Lineament starts from Darahuway Guti crossing SSU to the upland – in other words, SSU lies on a fault.
Launched with the hashtag #BidaAngHanda, the drill started at 2 PM being simultaneous. The faculty followed the technique on the first alarm. They evacuated to the open area (front of the SSU Gymnasium) when the evacuation alarm sounded. Facilitators did the head count and reported to the president, as instructed during the orientation.
Representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial DRRM Office, City DRRMC, and Philippine Red Cross-Western Samar Chapter were present during the drill and gave comments and advices after.
Concluding the event, Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso, SSU president and DRRMC manager, emphasized the importance of the drill, stating further that the faculty should orient the students on the first day of classes for the latter to be ready during earthquakes given SSU’s topographical location.
NSED is a quarterly activity organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to test the preparedness of government units during earthquakes.