Earthquake refresher course for barangay officials, responders

CEBU, Philippines — Barangay officials and responders are set to undergo refresher courses on earthquake response as the Cebu City Government, through the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), intensifies its disaster preparedness initiatives.

The training for barangays in the northern district is scheduled on June 28, while those in the southern district will undergo sessions on June 29. Both activities will be held at the Social Hall on the ninth floor of the City Hall building.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairperson of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the Cebu City Council, announced the program and stressed the importance of continuously strengthening the readiness of barangays, especially in light of recent seismic activities in Mindanao.

He emphasized that barangays serve as the first line of defense during calamities, making their preparedness crucial in safeguarding lives and minimizing risks.

Earlier, the CCDRRMO also conducted earthquake preparedness training for schools across Cebu City.

The sessions were intended to equip students, teachers, and administrators with practical knowledge of evacuation procedures, emergency response, and coordination during seismic events.

By extending similar training to barangays, the city government ensures that both educational institutions and local communities are empowered to respond effectively to disasters.

The refresher courses for barangays will cover emergency response operations, mass casualty incident management, disaster coordination, domain awareness, and other critical preparedness measures.

It was highlighted that grassroots-level preparedness remains one of the most vital components of disaster resilience, as barangays are often the first to mobilize during emergencies.

This activity follows recent earthquakes that struck parts of Mindanao, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and readiness across local communities.

Nationally, the Department of Education and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) mandate quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drills (NSED), with the 2026 schedule including March 12, June 18, September 10, and November 5.

Cebu City's localized training complements these national efforts by ensuring that preparedness activities are not limited to fixed dates but are integrated throughout the year.

The Cebu City Government encourages all participating barangays to actively engage in the training and apply the lessons learned to strengthen local disaster preparedness efforts. — (FREEMAN)