SIMULTANEOUS EARTHQUAKE DRILL, SHOWCASES INTER-AGENCY READINESS
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — The Provincial Government of Zamboanga Sibugay successfully staged the Regional Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (RSED), bringing together provincial and municipal disaster response teams, national government agencies, educational institutions, private establishments, and community members in a coordinated exercise designed to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response.
The activity opened at 8:00 a.m. at the Capitol Atrium, with provincial officials, participating agencies, and representatives from various sectors in attendance. At 9:00 a.m., teams from the different Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) were deployed to designated areas across Ipil to carry out the earthquake response simulation.
Participating schools and institutions included STII, Medina College, Matthew Jackson Inc., Don Andres Elementary School, Zamboanga Sibugay National High School, Ipil National High School, and Magdaup National High School. Residents living in communities surrounding the participating schools also took part, particularly in the simulated evacuation activities.
The exercise provided an opportunity to test the coordination, response capabilities, evacuation procedures, and communication systems of the participating institutions and response teams. It also demonstrated the importance of involving communities, not just government responders, in preparing for possible earthquake emergencies.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region IX Regional Director Atty. Ruel S. Halanes expressed his appreciation for the successful staging of the activity, particularly commending the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) for bringing together various stakeholders and establishing an organized system of coordination.
ADVERTISEMENT
He particularly noted the communication component of the exercise, recognizing the efforts of the local government in putting in place a communication system that enabled participating teams and stakeholders to coordinate their respective activities. The involvement of REACT groups also proved valuable in supporting the communication network during the drill.
Halanes thanked the Provincial Government of Zamboanga Sibugay, under the leadership of Governor Ann K. Hofer, for successfully hosting the regional exercise. However, he emphasized that disaster preparedness should not end with a single activity, stressing the need for continuous training, coordination, and improvement.
He also cautioned that while the province demonstrated its preparedness through the successful exercise, an actual earthquake would present entirely different challenges. The response during a real emergency may not unfold as smoothly as it does in a simulation, making sustained readiness and public awareness essential.
Meanwhile, LDRRMO teams from the different municipalities of Zamboanga Sibugay sent personnel to participate in the exercise, reflecting a province-wide commitment to strengthening disaster response capabilities.
The activity was led by the PDRRMO under the leadership of Rodel C. Tubigon, whose office coordinated the participation and deployment of the various response teams and partner organizations.
Although Governor Hofer was out of the province during the activity, Provincial Administrator Atty. Christian Jay Millena, together with Vice Governor Richard Olegario, remained actively involved and hands-on throughout the exercise, attending the proceedings from the opening until the closing program.
At around 12 noon, all teams deployed to the different simulation sites returned to the Capitol Atrium for the closing program, where the successful conduct of the activity was recognized and the importance of sustaining disaster preparedness efforts was reiterated.
The day concluded with a shared boodle fight lunch at the Capitol Gymnasium, bringing together the participating responders, officials, partner agencies, and stakeholders after a morning of coordinated emergency response activities.
Beyond the successful execution of the drill, the activity underscored a crucial message: disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility. Stronger communication, regular exercises, inter-agency cooperation, and active community participation remain vital in ensuring that Zamboanga Sibugay is better equipped to respond when an actual disaster strikes.
