ILOILO City – Knowing exactly what to do during an earthquake can mean the difference between life and death. Highlighting the need for swift action and flawless coordination in the face of disaster, the provincial government of Iloilo conducted an earthquake drill.
Carried out at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds, the drill on March 3 emphasized the importance of cooperation and presence of mind from both provincial government employees and transacting clients when an earthquake strikes.
Panay Island where Iloilo Province is located has an active West Panay Fault Line and is no stranger to strong tremors. The 1948 Lady Caycay earthquake on Jan. 25, 1948 that hit the island had an estimated magnitude of 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). It was the second biggest quake on record in the country and caused widespread damage.
During the drill, everyone was required to execute the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” technique, said Everick Paul Bedonia, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer 1 and Incident Commander of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) – Operation Center.
The technique is a widely recommended method for protecting one’s self during an earthquake. It is designed to minimize the risk of injury from falling objects, debris, or structural damage during the shaking.
Here’s what each part of the technique involves:
* Duck – Drop down to your hands and knees to prevent being knocked over by the shaking. This also lowers your center of gravity, making you more stable.
* Cover – Protect your head and neck by taking cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a table or desk. If no shelter is available, you should protect your head with your arms and seek cover near an interior wall away from windows.
* Hold – Hold on to the furniture or shelter you’re under to keep it in place. If you’re not under any furniture, continue protecting your head and neck and remain in place until the shaking stops.
“We observed great cooperation from the employees and clients who were eager to participate despite the heat and outdoor hazards. This is proof that people understand the importance of being ready,” Bedonia told Panay News.
The 37-minute drill, which also involved various national government agencies, tested not only the skills of rescuers and medical teams but also the coordination between agencies.
A critical change in this drill was the simulation of response operations, with ambulances, rescuers, and medical teams now deployed from the PDRRMO – Operation Center Facility at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district, as opposed to previous drills where response teams were stationed outside the Capitol gates.
“We made this change to see how quickly rescuers could reach the scene,” Bedonia explained. “Despite experiencing traffic delays, we were able to respond promptly, set up the incident command post, and establish an advanced medical post,” he added.
The drill also featured a surprise scenario, in which an additional patient — unexpectedly requiring medical attention — was added to the original plan, which had only accounted for two patients.
Bedonia acknowledged the team’s ability to manage the extra patient within a short timeframe but emphasized the need for further improvements in evacuation speed.
“In terms of evacuation, we reached a time of 16 minutes. Ideally, we aim to reduce that to below 10 minutes. We will focus on improving this in our next drill,” said Bedonia.
Looking ahead, Bedonia expressed a desire for even smoother coordination between the PDRRMO and the involved national agencies, ensuring that future drills are executed seamlessly.
“The key takeaway is that we must always be prepared — quick, efficient, and ready for anything,” Bedonia said.
The earthquake drill was in line with the national government’s first quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill./PN
