Santa Ana:The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that the upcoming 4th quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), scheduled for November 5, will evaluate the readiness of government bodies and communities to react promptly to a magnitude 8.5 earthquake-tsunami scenario.
According to Philippines News Agency, the drill will simulate a disaster scenario in Santa Ana, Cagayan, as the focal point of the exercise. This simulation will test the preparedness of government agencies, local government units (LGUs), emergency responders, and communities for significant earthquakes and tsunamis.
The NSED will involve the participation of agencies under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The start of the drill will be marked by a ceremonial pressing of the button at 9 a.m., initiating the "Duck, Cover, and Hold" procedure and evacuation drill. The scenario involves a magnitude 8.5 earthquake originating 180 kilometers southeast of Santa Ana, Cagayan, caused by the movement along the East Luzon Trough.
The exercise aims to assess and enhance Santa Ana, Cagayan's disaster response and preparedness strategies, specifically its contingency plan for earthquakes and tsunamis and the execution of the Regional Disaster Response Plan of the Cagayan Valley Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The simulation will test various emergency response operations, including early warning system activation, community evacuation, emergency telecommunications, incident management, logistics coordination, mass casualty management, search and rescue operations, camp management, protection of displaced persons, water search and rescue, management of the dead and missing, law and order, and responses to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards, as well as oil spills.
In addition to the main exercise in Santa Ana, related earthquake drills will be conducted throughout the country, organized by OCD regional offices. The drill coincides with the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) 2026, under the theme "Resilience Starts with You."
As part of the NSED and WTAD observance, the OCD will host "Over Coffee Dialogues Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness," a forum featuring government experts and international disaster risk reduction and management practitioners. The OCD encourages public participation in the NSED and urges individuals to familiarize themselves with safety measures for earthquakes and tsunamis to enhance personal and community preparedness.
