Posted on by Jaymante Pearl Apilado

DSWD-FO1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo (at the back: 3rd from right) together with the DSWD-FO1 employees accepts the #Pagyanig Challenge.
DSWD-FO1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo (at the back: 3rd from right) together with the DSWD-FO1 employees accepts the #Pagyanig Challenge.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office I (DSWD-FO1) accepted the #Pagyanig Challenge of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of National Defense (DND) on 21 April 2016.

DSWD-FO1 employees showed their commitment in the conduct of the “First Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) 2016” by posting a photo in the DSWD Ilocandia Facebook Fan Page with a sign “I accept the #Pagyanig Challenge” and made the DUCK, COVER, and HOLD positions as the appropriate safety procedure to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

Meanwhile, in Brgy. San Lorenzo, Bangui, Ilocos Norte, the pilot area of the 1st Quarter NSED in Region I, DSWD-FO1 actively joined in the said activity. Ilocos Norte Pantawid Pamilya Provincial Link Ronald V. Punio served as one of the chosen evaluators for the portrayed drill of the possible effects of the movement of the Manila Trench. A scenario

With the pressing of the alarm/siren spearheaded by the RDRRMC1 through the Office of Civil Defense Region 1 (OCDRC1), this year’s NSED in Region I started at 9 o’clock in the morning.
With the pressing of the alarm/siren spearheaded by the RDRRMC1 through the Office of Civil Defense Region 1 (OCDRC1), this year’s NSED in Region I started at 9 o’clock in the morning.

of loss of lives and properties is also predicted, as well as damages in infrastructure and agriculture when a 7.2 Magnitude earthquake shakes Region I. Thus to lessen the effects of this disaster, preparations must be taken seriously.

One of the objectives of the said activity is to strengthen the capabilities, preparedness measures, and coordination of the community and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

According to Office of Civil Defense Administrator and Executive Director of the NDRRMC Usec. Alexander P. Pama, “The more we sweat in these exercises/drills, the less we bleed when the actual (real) things happen.”

DSWD-FO1 closely coordinates with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – Region 1 (RDRRMC1) in every disaster-related situation. DSWD-FO1 Dir. Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo said the Department strongly supports RDRRMC1 in raising awareness of all stakeholders on the importance of conducting activities like NSED. (by: Jaymante Pearl B. Apilado, Administrative Assistant III, NHTS-PR/Listahanan with report from PL Ronald V. Punio )