First nationwide earthquake drill of 2025 a litmus test for ‘Big One’ response

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Simulations were executed to test the country’s response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that can possibly hit Metro Manila and nearby areas

LAGUNA, Philippines – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday, March 13, mounted the country’s first Nationwide Earthquake Drill for this year in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

ALL SYSTEMS GO. Public officials press ceremonial buttons, signaling the start of the nationwide earthquake drill on March 13, 2025. Photo by the Office of Civil Defense

Over 1,300 local government units and the private sector joined and executed simulations like damage assessment, hazardous materials response, search and rescue, jailbreak situations, and evacuation of school children with learning difficulties.

SWIFT EVACUATION. Students perform evacuation simulation during the nationwide earthquake drill in Santa Rosa, Laguna on March 13, 2025. Photo by Santa Rosa LGU

SAFETY FIRST. Parents and children perform ‘duck, cover, and hold’ during the nationwide earthquake drill in Santa Rosa, Laguna, on March 13, 2025. Photo by Santa Rosa LGU

During a press conference at the Santa Rosa Laguna City Hall Stadium, OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno stressed that the drill is a litmus test for both the national government and local governments, and whether they have the capacity to respond to the “Big One,” or the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that can possibly hit the metro. (READ: [Vantage Point] Is the gov’t ready for the ‘Big One’?)

“Ang sinasanay natin ngayon ay ang kakayahan ng ating national government at local government na sabay-sabay na gumalaw bilang pagtugon doon sa mangyayaring malaking lindol,” Nepomuceno said.

(What we are training for now is the capability of our national government and local governments to simultaneously act in response to a major earthquake.)

RESCUE AND RESPONSE. SMMC-Guinayang Campus executes scenarios for the nationwide earthquake drill. Photo by San Mateo, Rizal PIO

Nepomuceno also zeroed in on the lag in terms of disaster preparedness in the country. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

Nepomuceno pointed out the need for a unified plan between cities, and how it should be a standard procedure to also mount disaster management plans for their neighbors in need.

HELP ON THE WAY. SMMC-Guinayang Campus executes scenarios for the nationwide earthquake drill. Photo by San Mateo, Rizal PIO

DUCK, COVER, AND HOLD. Binangonan, Rizal municipal employees perform ‘duck, cover, and hold’ during the nationwide earthquake drill. Photo by Binangonan Rizal LGU

Social Welfare Undersecretary Diane Cajipe pointed out that the responsibility of preparing for disasters is not only the task of government, but also of citizens.

“Knowledge is something that each one of us dapat mayroon because that would save us. After us, our loved ones, after our loved ones, ‘yung mga kasama nila. Then, after that, ‘yung mga taong tinuturuan natin. But it always has to begin with us.”

(Knowledge is something that each one of us should have because that would save us. After us, our loved ones, after our loved ones, those who are with them. Then, after that, the people we teach. But it always has to begin with us.)

EVACUATION. Uniformed personnel of the Quezon City Police District join the nationwide earthquake drill. Photo by QCPD

Cajipe also lamented the challenges in executing disaster preparation plans on the ground. “Kahit ano’ng ganda ng ating mga (No matter how good the) plans on paper, if only a few of us know it, how can it be efficient really?”

To this, Capije offered a solution. “Ibababa po natin sa komunidad, at napakalaking tulong ng social media in this information campaign (Let us bring it down to the roots, in the community, and social media will be a huge help in this information campaign).”

Earthquakes remain unpredictable, but science and rigorous research continues to better understand this natural phenomenon, and in turn help governments make informed plans and protocols to better help their communities. (READ: Getting closer to the holy grail of earthquake prediction) – With reports from Andrei Rosario/Rappler.com