Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) successfully conducted its 4th Quarter Earthquake and Fire Drill on November 21, 2024. The drill involved evacuating of over 646 students, faculty, and staff from various buildings across the Pili Campus.
The simulation aimed to test the campus’s preparedness for natural disasters, focusing on a simulated intensity 4 earthquake that caused damage to buildings. While 12 individuals sustained minor injuries, there were no fatalities reported.
The activity was led by the university’s Resilience Center and student-led organizations. Dr. Philip N. Talay, emphasized the importance of regular drills in reinforcing safety practices and ensuring the preparedness of the campus community. “The fire drill is designed to minimize casualties and damage to university properties as per CMO 09, s. 2023, and create awareness, and minimized panic to reduce vulnerability to this hazard. Meanwhile, the earthquake drill reinforces the ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold’ procedure and orderly evacuation.”
The drill was successfully executed by the Gryphon Fire Volunteers and the CBSUA Red Cross Youth Council. The Security Unit, CBSUA Disaster Response and Recovery Operation Unit, and other student organizations also played crucial roles in the drill’s success.
Dr. Talay and Mr. Genlud S. Bascuňa, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, supervised the drill, assisted by Mr. Karl Jayson Collat, the Center Secretary.
CBSUA’s commitment to safety and preparedness was evident in the successful execution of the earthquake and fire drill. With the regular conduct of such simulations, the university continues to strengthen its disaster response capabilities and foster a culture of resilience within its community. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘔𝘳. 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘑𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵
