CITY OF MALOLOS — A hospital scenario earthquake drill was conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan during the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on November 9.

Retired police Col. Manuel Lukban Jr., PDRRMO officer, said that the earthquake drill started at 9:00am and was conducted at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos in one of its building participating in the drill.

Joining the exercise were the medical staff and personnel of the hospital together with the rescue teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police and PDRRMO.

Lukban explained that the hospital earthquake scenario was designed to ensure that the medical staff and personnel have the necessary knowledge to respond to a strong earthquake. The goal is to ensure the safe evacuation of patients during emergencies.

As these developed, some malls in Bulacan also participated in the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill.

Nica Cunan, information officer of SM malls in Bulacan told ARKIPELAGO NEWS BULACAN that among their malls that participated in the earthquake exercise were those in Baliwag, Pulilan and Marilao.

Tenants, mall employees and shoppers were guided to make an evacuation exercise at a designated site in its parking lots, Cunan said.

Meanwhile, the Camp Olivas regional police office in Pampanga also participated in the quarterly earthquake drill/simulation designed for the awareness, preparedness, and readiness of its personnel and other employees inside the camp during an actual emergency.

The activity was participated by more or less 500 police personnel started with a one-minute blowing of a siren, wherein all PNP personnel and other employees inside their respective offices dropped on the floor, find cover under their tables, and held on to it. Afterward, all participants went outside, with both hands covering the back portion of their head since they could be battered by falling objects, walked in a single file, and proceeded to the designated evacuation area which is the Parade Ground located in front of the Admin Building.

Photo: Bulacan PIO, Police Regional Office 3