By Cherry Joy D. Garma and Justine Wynn Edu, PIA-1-Ilocos Norte
BACARRA, Ilocos Norte, July 3 (PIA) – The province of Ilocos Norte conducted a series of earthquake drills in support to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) #BidaAngHanda Campaign last June 29.
Led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC) here, the Cadaratan National High School (CNHS) in this town served as the main venue for the second quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED).
To create wider awareness, the disaster bureau has created the official hashtag #BidaAngHanda, that aims to strengthen local communities’ disaster preparedness through public’s participation.
The drill included the proper evacuation procedure of students from their classrooms during an earthquake. Medics also performed first aid to those who played victims of the mock drill.
In the evaluation conference, Marcel Tabije of the PDRRMRC, acknowledged the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bacarra, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bacarra, medics, and the whole school community for the success of the drill.
“We are very grateful that you participated in this activity and made it successful,” he said.
He also discussed the basic four 4Ps in disaster management which are: plan, prepare, practice, and pray.
Tabije said that the aim of the PDRRMC Ilocos Norte is to spread knowledge about disaster preparedness among the people of the province.
“We are here to give you more knowledge about disaster preparedness, so we hope that after participating this activity, each and every one of you learned a lot from us,” he added.
Moreover, the school also received resiliency kit composed of pails and dippers that they could utilize during or after a disaster.
“The resiliency kit that was given to CNHS by the Provincial Resiliency Office. Since every school in the province has its own Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) that is in-charge of the kit, it will stay in the school,” said Mary Joyce M. Mendoza, the local disaster officer of Bacarra.
After the evaluation, the PDRRMC gave CNHS a passing score of nine over 10 for their outstanding and performance in the said drill. (Cherry Joy D. Garma and Justine Wynn Edu, PIA-1-Ilocos Norte)
