Last June 20, 2019, people from different parts of the Philippines were awakened by a text blast from MMDA signifying the second quarter of the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill. It may have met some irate citizens being awoken at an “unholy” hour but it was intentionally timed at the worst possible scenario where people are asleep as an earthquake strikes. This drill’s purpose is to intensify the people’s earthquake preparedness as well as strengthen the response capability and commitment of local and national units in building and establishing safe and resilient communities.
Preparedness for any circumstance provides great defense and assurance. For several years now, propelled to nationwide practice since The Big One buzz, earthquake drills are conducted quarterly every year in the Philippines. Spearheaded by The Office of Civil Defense, The National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and in partnership with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), local government units (LGU), and private organizations, the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) has been an important national program in earthquake resilience.
The NSED aims to be a quarterly drill that will transform the country into a culture of disaster preparedness and awareness. More than cultivating a natural sense of readiness for Filipinos, the NSED is also an effective way of evaluating the contingency plans and protocols designed by local governments in regard to emergency scenarios such as earthquake and other similar crisis. The drill also aims to reinforce the inter-operability of government units and strengthen the procedure for national and local coordination.
The 2nd NSED for 2019 delves on the assessment of on-site NDRRMC Operations Center based on response plans for earthquakes and tsunamis. It also reiterates the quadrants of Metro Manila in reference with OPLAN YAKAL Plus project. Metro Manila and nearby provinces residents and workers should be fully equipped with quadrant knowledge to prepare for evacuation, medical aid, and safety zones.
This continued quarterly drill is a valuable asset in increasing the survival chances of Filipinos and in building earthquake resilience. Department of National Defense Undersecretary Jesus Millan stated that earthquake drills are significant in preparing for disaster. As encouragement, he said, "Let us keep on actively participating in the next earthquake drills as well as engage in DRRM activities in our localities.”
As part of strengthening response capability and preparedness of the local government, private sectors, and other stakeholders, USHER (Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System) hopes to be part of the quarterly drill and culture of disaster resilience. Preparing for the massive earthquake also entails the preparation of the structures we stand, live, and work in. The USHER system of monitoring the structural integrity, gaining insight to nature’s capability, and preparing our building as earthquake resilient is a remarkable way of increasing resilience.
Aligning with NSED’s purpose of transforming the Philippines into an earthquake resilient country, USHER offers preparedness for our structures and insight to earthquakes’ effect to these structures. One day, in the near future, USHER shall be a significant part of these nationwide drills. Intensifying disaster resilience and saving lives are the primary goals of NSED and this coincides perfectly with USHER’s purpose.