The College of Development Communication (CDC) served as the site for an earthquake drill and simulated search and rescue operation today, September 8, as part of UPLB’s participation in the Third Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED).
The activity aimed to bolster the UPLB community’s preparedness in responding to disasters, in line with Office of the Chancellor Memorandum No. 098, Series of 2022, issued by Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr.
It was led by CDC’s Occupational Health, Safety, and Emergency Committee, chaired by Asst. Prof. Garry Jay S. Montemayor, in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA), through the University Health Service (UHS) and the Security and Safety Office (SSO), led by Dr. Mark Dondi M. Arboleda, OIC-Director, and Special Police Assistant Chief Jonathan D. Maliwat, chief of the Crisis and Emergency Response Unit (CERU).
Participants in the activity included some members of the CDC Management Committee, led by Dean Maria Stella C. Tirol, as well as faculty, staff, and students.
Synchronized with the NSED, the drill started at 9:00 AM at the sound of a siren, signaling constituents to perform the “duck, cover, and hold” earthquake protocol, before evacuating the CDC building and assembling at the Carabao Park.
During the post-activity evaluation, Maliwat explained that the drill was customized for a 7.2-magnitude earthquake scenario, which is the possible magnitude of “The Big One”, an earthquake that could affect major areas in Luzon should the West Valley Fault moves.
The NSED is spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) through Memorandum No. 21, Series of 2022 issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mangement Council (NDRRMC). (Miguel Victor Durian)
