Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

The government conducted its 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Wednesday, featuring both ceremonial and full-scale simulation activities to test preparedness for the “Big One,” a potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake along the West Valley Fault. The ceremonial pressing of the button took place around 4 p.m. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, led by officials from the Department of National Defense, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Later in the afternoon, a large-scale earthquake response simulation exercise was carried out at the 525th Combat Engineering Brigade (CEB) Training Area inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The drill gathered multiple agencies, including the NDRRMC/OCD, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).<div> </div>Department of National Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino emphasized the importance of joint action among agencies.He added that the drill was not just an exercise but a way to strengthen the country’s disaster readiness.“Ito’y ina-undertake ng OCD para maturuan ang ating mga tao kung ano ang dapat gawin pagka may mga sakunang katulad ng earthquake… Kaya po tayo nandito eh nandito para paghandaan kung darating man yung big one na sinasabi natin. At makikita natin ang involvement ng lahat ng agencies. At ako’y very happy and satisfied sa kanilang mga pinaggagawa sa araw na ito,” he added. Espino also inspected some of the rescue and response equipment showcased during the drill, noting that while some tools have been donated by Japan, more are needed. Civil Defense Administrator Usec. Harold Cabreros highlighted that the quarterly drills are done across the country, not only in Metro Manila.“Una-una po tayong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng ating ahensya ng gobyerno at ng including yung LGUs dahil sa kooperasyon at participation nila dito sa ating ginagawang simultaneous earthquake drill… However, ito po sa nationwide, ang ini-exercise natin ngayon ’yung tinatawag natin Harmonized Nationwide Contingency Plan in case of the 7.2 earthquake or the big one,” Cabreros said.PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol stressed that the country still lacks enough seismic monitoring stations to adequately detect and assess earthquake threats.“Right now we only have 125 seismic stations and the ideal number is 300… without PHIVOLCS modernization act… that would take more than 40 years para makumpleto natin yung ideal number of seismic stations,” Bacolcol explained.He said the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act, recently signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will accelerate the process: “Instead of waiting for 40 years para makumpleto natin, uh, 5 years.”Meanwhile, DILG Assistant Secretary Jesi Howard Lanete emphasized that local government units (LGUs) are the frontline responders during disasters.“You know, uh, today’s exercise teaches us that readiness or ability to be ready saves lives. And, uh, important kasi dito, as far as our LGUs are concerned, our LGUs are the first responders and they are the last line of defense,” Lanete said. He added: “The issue here is not if it happens, the issue is when it will happen, and whether or not we are prepared for that eventuality.”The NDRRMC conducts quarterly earthquake drills nationwide to ensure the public and government agencies remain vigilant and prepared for catastrophic events. With Metro Manila’s dense population and its location along the West Valley Fault, experts and officials alike continue to stress the urgent need for readiness.<div>  </div>

The government conducted its 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Wednesday, featuring both ceremonial and full-scale simulation activities to test preparedness for the “Big One,” a potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake along the West Valley Fault.

The government conducted its 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Wednesday, featuring both ceremonial and full-scale simulation activities to test preparedness for the “Big One,” a potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake along the West Valley Fault.

Government agencies test response in 3rd Quarter Nationwide Earthquake Drill

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Government agencies test response in 3rd Quarter Nationwide Earthquake Drill

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 12, 2025 12:55 AM PHT

Read More:

Nationwide earthquake drill

Taguig

Simulation exercise

Disaster preparedness

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