Banking on the improved disaster awareness of the institution’s employees and staff, Davao de Oro State College conducted a more comprehensive 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) today at the DDOSC premises.

 

This initiative was carried out in partnership with the Compostela Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), who sent a 12-member evaluation team.

 

At exactly 3:00 PM, the drill commenced with the sounding of sirens, prompting all faculty, staff, and students to practice the “duck, cover, and hold” technique and evacuate calmly toward the designated evacuation sites.

 

The DDOSC Disaster Action and Response Team (DART), led by Incident Commander Kim F. Baloca, CPA, swiftly mobilized to assess the situation, ensuring the safe evacuation of individuals and inspecting the school’s buildings for potential damage.

 

Furthermore, all seven “planted” casualties were promptly identified and provided with appropriate care.

 

For the first time, the highlight of this iteration of the NSED was the involvement of the local government, where the DDOSC DART regularly communicated with the Office of the Municipal Mayor to provide regular updates and coordinate necessary actions to ensure a seamless response.

 

Following the drill, FO2 Jake Magalona from the Compostela BFP provided constructive feedback, emphasizing the need for stricter adherence to the “duck, cover, and hold” technique and ensuring that evacuation routes remain clear of obstacles.

Meanwhile, Eileen Joy A. Manatad, RN, lead of the MDRRMO evaluation team, commended the College for its noticeable progress in handling the NSED and the effective communication among response teams.

 

She also hinted that future NSEDs will include more challenging scenarios, such as high-angled rescue and burning buildings.

 

Joining Manatad and FO2 Magalona in the evaluation team were Lencer James Leonor, Jayson Campo, Christian Pochee Caballero, Reynevic Nuñez-Gura, Joy Mae Buangjog, Romeo Sanchez, Jr., FO2 Reymond Flores, FO1 Christopher Cortes, FO1 Rhea Mie Mack, and FO1 Nell Brylle Dayanan.

 

In her closing message, DDOSC President Dr. Lilybeth M. Matunhay expressed her gratitude to the evaluation team for their valuable insights and assured that the College is actively implementing measures to improve its disaster preparedness and response capabilities further.

 

This year’s NSED not only demonstrated DDOSC’s commitment to disaster readiness but also highlighted the critical role of collaboration with local government units in building a safer and more resilient community.