Public Participation Strengthens Nationwide Earthquake Drill

According to the PIA and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Ilocos, residents of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte participated in the first quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on March 12, 2026, to test local emergency response capabilities. The event aimed to train the public on safety protocols during a major earthquake.

The regional office of the RDRRMC, which coordinates disaster response across the Ilocos Region from its headquarters in San Fernando, La Union, collaborated with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the local government of Pagudpud to organize the event.

During the drill, residents practiced the “duck, cover, and hold” technique and learned how to safely navigate to designated evacuation sites. The simulation also allowed participants to familiarize themselves with municipal disaster plans to prepare for worst-case scenarios following a major earthquake.

The exercise tested local response teams in handling mass casualties and conducting search, rescue, and retrieval operations. Local residents actively participated in these simulations, playing the roles of both victims and evacuees.

Ricky Otiong, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, stated that the drill provided practical experience that helps communities remain calm during actual disasters. He noted that the training is particularly useful because the region frequently experiences strong typhoons.

Hendrick Pedronan, chief of the Pagudpud Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, emphasized that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility. He explained that active public participation helps build stronger coordination between local governments and communities to save lives.

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SOURCE: PIA