In line with the policy frameworks in the National Disaster Preparedness Plan that includes the continuing promotion of regular disaster preparedness, response and recovery exercises, the fourth quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) was conducted on 11 November.

This year’s last NSED was participated by office employees, port workers, force multipliers, and personnel of maritime agencies stationed at the Port of Cagayan de Oro, Balingoan, Camiguin and Opol. The participants, especially those in the offices tuned in to the online program and the ceremonial pressing of the button organized by NDRRMC.

The drill commenced at exactly 9:00 in the morning signaled by the siren of the fire alarm system in ports. The participants executed the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” for a minute. As part of the minimum public health protocols, all were reminded to comply with the minimum public health standards throughout the drill including those in the operational area, while those who were inside the buildings need to stay in their respective workstations instead of evacuating to avoid mass gathering at the designated evacuation areas.

The Command Center (COMCen), the central communication hub of the Port of Cagayan de Oro, managed by the Port Police Division, conducted a net call to all stations for emergency reporting and other security protocols as part of the communications drill during emergencies. The Oroport Cargohandling Inc. at CDO Port dispatched their fire truck and ambulance around the port as part of their emergency response drill to exercise operations for fire and medical emergencies as aftermath of an earthquake.