DILG to conduct earthquake drill

Officials and employees of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will take part today in an earthquake seminar and drill as part of its disaster preparedness program.

DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the drill will be attended by more than 1,000 central office officials and employees housed in a 10-storey building along EDSA in Kamuning, Quezon City.

Puno said the seminar-drill will be conducted in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

"If our department is implementing a disaster preparedness program for our local government units nationwide, it is also imperative for us to carry out a similar undertaking for our personnel, especially at the Central Office," Puno explained.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) director Manuel Gotis said the seminar on earthquake preparedness will be attended by members of the health and safety teams of the DILG Central Office, the National Capital Region and Regions IV-A and B.

Gotis said there was a need to prepare employees in times of emergency because only when they are prepared can they cushion the impact of any calamity that may strike.

He said the department through its administrative service, has coordinated with Phivolcs to provide input and guidance during seminar.

He also said that in view of the country’s geographical location that makes it highly vulnerable to earthquakes, it is important to conduct regular preparedness activities to protect personnel and the public they serve.

The seminar shall consist of discussions on earthquakes and their hazards and the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS). The earthquake drill will include a building emergency evacuation plan and building watching exercise.