To enhance preparedness for natural disasters, the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) Resilience Center’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Unit (DRRU), in collaboration with various student-led socio-civic organizations, successfully conducted its 2nd Quarter Earthquake Drill today, June 23, 2025, at the Animal Science and College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) building on the Pili Campus.
This activity is the university’s participation in the quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), designed to enhance public awareness and preparedness for earthquakes and related hazards.
A total of 164 students and faculty members participated in the exercise. The drill was facilitated by DRRM Officer Mr. Genlud Bascuña and Environmental Management Officer Mr. Christian Ian Pan, alongside volunteers from the CBSUA Gryphon Fire Volunteers, CBSUA Pili – College Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC), and the Disaster Response and Recovery Operation Unit (DRROU).
The drill commenced with a signal simulating a magnitude 6 earthquake. Participants immediately “drop, cover, and hold” to protect themselves from potential falling debris and structural hazards. Safety marshals and volunteers efficiently guided evacuees through designated routes to safety zones, ensuring an orderly evacuation.
Beyond the earthquake simulation, the activity also included scenarios for fire incidents, chemical spills, and other medical emergencies, to which response teams and volunteers reacted swiftly.
Following the drill, a debriefing session was held to evaluate the exercise. Representatives from participating volunteer student organizations shared their key observations, successes, and areas for improvement to further refine CBSUA’s emergency preparedness strategies and strengthen its overall disaster response capabilities.
Dr. Philip N. Talay, CRC Director, emphasized the importance of such activities, stating, “Disasters and risks could happen anytime, and through knowledge in emergency preparedness, we can survive and even save lives.”
