In compliance with a directive from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Local Government Unit of Catbalogan City (LGU Catbalogan) participated in the Nationwide Earthquake Drill this October 14, 2009.

A siren was sounded at exactly 9:00 in the morning to signal the occurence of the mock earthquake, prompting city hall employees to respond as they would if the real thing occured, which is to protect their heads from hard falling objects and walk out of the room in a calm manner.

The drill was followed by a brief orientation conducted by representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection, wherein they stressed the importance of staying calm in times of disaster.

The Nationwide Earthquake Drill was first conducted in June 20, 2006 with orders from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that it be a nationwide regular quarterly activity “until such time that it will be perfected and people’s reaction during and after an earthquake become second nature to prevent casualties”.

All government offices and agencies as well as private establishments are also enjoined to conduct their own earthquake drills also in observance of October as the ASEAN Disaster Month.