Schools to have unannounced earthquake, fire drills

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed all public schools in the country to conduct unannounced earthquake and fire drills every first and third week of the month.

“Emergencies and calamities may strike anywhere and anytime. Thus, having an effective preparedness plan is the key in preventing disasters and saving lives,” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said in a department order dated Dec. 9 and released on Monday.

“Accordingly, local drills and simulation exercises are preventive measures that familiarize escape routes and reinforce proper actions in the occurrence of a calamity. Frequent practice of these drills and exercises would eventually turn these actions into automatic reflexes that would manifest during an actual calamity,” she added.

The DepEd also directed public schools in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan to create a separate and specific disaster plan for a magnitude 7 or higher earthquake.

The plan, it said, shall specifically lay down the response should there be a scenario involving mass casualties of learners and personnel.

Experts previously warned that a strong earthquake called the “Big One” may soon hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces.