Valencia City conducts intensive earthquake drill with victim extraction scenario

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Local disaster management officials conducted an advanced earthquake preparedness drill on Thursday as part of the 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, deploying enhanced emergency response mechanisms across the city.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) utilized the quarterly exercise to test critical disaster protocols under worst-case conditions. CDRRMO Chief June Ray Valero indicated that this quarter's simulation represented a significant step up in complexity, designed to push local response capabilities to their limits.

A central component of the drill involved live extraction operations of simulated earthquake victims, allowing response teams to practice coordination, rescue techniques, and victim management in realistic scenarios. The exercise aimed to identify gaps in current procedures and strengthen coordination among disaster responders.

The nationwide simultaneous drill represents a regular opportunity for local government units across the Philippines to validate emergency preparedness measures and ensure personnel readiness for potential seismic events. Such exercises are critical for a country prone to frequent earthquakes and located along major fault lines.