DAVAO ORIENTAL— Gearing up towards disaster preparedness, the Provincial Government Employees have participated in the recently held city-wide Earthquake Drill spearheaded by the City of Mati’s City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

The Provincial Capitol Employees performed the “duck, cover, and hold” as the emergency siren sounded early in the morning of July 26. Everyone at the Provincial Capitol evacuated then to the nearest open space.

Provincial Employees Emergency Mobilization and Rescue Team (PEEMART) seamlessly performed the simulation of the search and rescue operation. The medical team stationed at the area also gave immediate medical attention to the rescued patients.

While awareness has already been established among the employees, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Assistant Department Head Francis Jason Bendulo said that there is a need for the employees to take the drill more seriously, including their attitude to act accordingly during simulation exercises.

“We always aim for zero casualty during actual disasters. This event should not be taken lightly, they have to respond according to safety measures that were taught to them,” he said, adding that those who did not evacuate during the drill were considered casualties, hence rescued by the responders.

The drill was simultaneously conducted in 17 other areas, including the City Hall of Mati, the main highway of the City near the participating local business establishments, private and public schools, whole of Barangay Sainz and other nearby barangays.

CDRRMO Head Charlemagne Bagasol said that the drill is part of the efforts of the City Government of Mati which include raising disaster awareness in all levels.

“It is the mandate of our local chief executive that preparedness must be given importance from the city level down to barangay, purok, and even to the family,” he said.

He added that the drill also improves “the interoperability of the different agencies from the national down to the barangay and business sector”. National agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coastguard, Philippine Red Cross, and Philippine National Police have participated in the said event. Volunteer groups, such as the Army Reservists, PEEMART, DOSMART, and the DREAMS Rescue 166, have also helped on the search and rescue simulation exercises.

The City Sports Complex located in the Upper Bliss served as the Incident Command Center. Rescue vehicles, speed boat, and rescue equipment were on stand-by.

Incident Commander Atty. Alejandro Aquino said that Mayor-elect Michelle N. Rabat will augment the budget for the city disaster office next year to purchase the equipment that city lacks.

“Basically, we have the materials, the equipment, we have the vehicles, the speedboat, we have the medical team, and in fact the personnel are trained. We have communication facilities that will involve response to any disaster. The equipment is almost complete and those that we still lack will be purchased next year through our City Mayor,” he said.

He also cited the support of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang in the effort of the City Government on disaster preparedness and resilience. He said that the governor has previously offered to lend the province’s elf truck to be used by the CDRRMO on its rescue operations.

“The facilities are geared towards the practice. So, we are really thankful for the support of the provincial government, and also the national government. In fact, by the fourth quarter next year, NDRRMC will pilot its advocacy on tsunami and earthquake preparations. We had almost perfect attendance, the practice is well done, and the stakeholders are cooperating, so these things show that the City of Mati and the Province of Davao Oriental is prepared for any eventuality,” he added.

City Councilor Edwin Barrera, who has always advocated for disaster preparedness through the DREAMS RESCUE 166, said that the disaster preparations are within magnitude 8 and higher which is usually experienced in the province. Recently, the province was rocked with 6.1 and 6.2 magnitude earthquakes, with the epicenter located at Sigaboy, Municipality of Governor Generoso. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan