Cebu joins Nationwide quake drill

CEBU, Philippines - Some schools and esta-blishments in Cebu City are not fully-equipped and prepared for disasters particularly earthquake, the city Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council found out.

University of Cebu-Main Campus, for one, is at “risk” in terms of its old structure and accessibility if and when disaster strikes, according to CCDRRMC chair and Councilor David Tumulak.

The assessment was made following the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill yesterday that was aimed to enhance public awareness on what to do if a quake strikes.

UC was chosen as one of the venues of the simultaneous drill because it has the most number of students among other schools with 15,000 students comprising elementary, secondary and college departments.

Tumulak said UC lacks important evacuation signages and quake equipment.

He also said the school’s narrow exits and the traders vending outside its premises would contribute to further danger and chaos.

UC, Tumulak said, is situated in a “critical” area squeezed and surrounded by other establishments in downtown area. In effect, students and faculty members will have a difficult time to evacuate and look for safe grounds.

It was proven during the drill as students were able to go out of the school premises only after 15 minutes, which was “quite late” for evacuation.

The councilor said evacuation should be done within 10 minutes.

“Fifteen minutes is already crucial in evacuation because anything can happen within 15 minutes and lives may be put at risks. The school could still improve that,” he said.

Further, Tumulak urged all educational institutions to form and train their emergency response team; identify high risk areas inside the school; craft comprehensive emergency preparedness evaluation and contingency plan, and communication and coordination plan with the local government units and the local DRRMC.

“Let us make sure that all aspects are covered and secured so that we are not caught off guard when disasters happen,” he said.

The parents, on the other hand, are encouraged to invest in buying safety hats or helmet for the children.

Maria Theresa Jochin, UC vice chancellor for administration, assured that they will address their deficiencies.

“Rest assured we will do something about it.  The safety and security of the students and the school personnel are vital to us,” she said.

Capitol

The Capitol also joined yesterday’s nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill.

When the clock struck 9 a.m. yesterday, Capitol’s siren blared throughout its compound to alert employees to get out from their offices and seek shelters.

As the Capitol employees were directed to the pre-selected safe zones, some were seen walking casually while others remained standing upon reaching the designated areas, actions that are discouraged by disaster officials when a tremor occurs.

Baltazar Tribunalo Jr., chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), reported that many of the employees tended to be lax and did not take the drill seriously.

He said that while employees were advised to remain calm, they should have also considered performing the proper safety procedures, like ducking and covering their heads with clasped hands.

“Nanindog man nuon ang mga tawo. Di dapat ‘na kay matumba ‘ta (People should not be standing during an earthquake, otherwise, they would be easily knocked down). We should understand the nature and beha-vior of the hazard,” he told reporters after the drill.

Tribunalo admitted that there are still numerous things to be improved through capacity building and education. He, however, said part of the activity’s objective, which is to safely evacuate the employees, was achieved.

“Nailhan nato unsa’y panginahanglan nga training sa mga tawo. (We have already identified what training to adopt). Daghan pa pod tang kakuwangan (We also have deficiencies), but we will not stop from that, we have to fill in unsa’y gap sa ilang capacity,” he said.

Central Visayas Police

Police Regional Office-7 also joined the activity.

In line with the program” Oplan Pagyanig 2015”, the earthquake drill was conducted by the Office of Civil Defense to ensure that personnel working in big buildings, like the PRO-7 headquarters, know what to do whenever an earthquake occurs.

Joy Hernandez, training and operation officer of the OCD, said they also conducted the drill to prepare the public especially amid reports of a possible magnitude 7.2 earthquake authorities dubbed as “The Big One” that might hit the country any time.

“Dili sad ta mag-hope nga maabot na siya, nevertheless, when that happens, we are prepared, especially the public and students who are very prone to such incidents,” said Hernandez. —NSA (FREEMAN)