Cotabato City (July 30, 2019) — In line with the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM), the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional Government conducted an earthquake drill and simulation on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 inside the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) Compound in Cotabato City.
With the theme, “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago,” the NDRM celebration is spearheaded by the Bangsamoro Government through its Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART).
The activity was supported by the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), Ministry of Social Services (MSS), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO), Internal Security Services (ISS), Philippine National Police (PNP-BARMM), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-BARMM), and the Office of the Civil Defense – BARMM.
MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo said “the earthquake drill is a means of measuring our state of readiness to deal with this type of disaster and, at the same time, instill the culture of readiness and preparedness to our people.”
He also looked back on the events during the 1976 powerful earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami, that greatly devastated Cotabato City and many parts of the region, causing many casualties. “This is the reason why we always have to be prepared,” he added.
Meanwhile, Engr. Rainier Amilbahar of PHIVOLCS-Central Mindanao said the drill is very essential, especially with the employees. As they practice the crucial steps to take during an earthquake, they can pass on the knowledge to their families.
The offices which participated in the drill were the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM), Bureau on Cultural Heritage (BCH), Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), Office of the Regional Treasury (ORT), and Regional Budget and Management Office (RBMO).
The drill and simulation aimed to promote awareness among the civilians on what to do in case of emergencies, such as earthquake occurrence. The NDRM observance every month of July is in accordance with Executive Order No. 29 series of 2017.
The disaster risk reduction and management is one of the exclusive powers that shall be exercised by the Bangsamoro Government as stipulated in the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM). ###
