On November 5, emergency responders and local communities in Cagayan Valley will participate in a significant drill simulating a magnitude 8.5 earthquake and tsunami. The exercise, coordinated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), will take place in Santa Ana.
Simulating a Major Disaster
This exercise aims to assess the readiness of government agencies, emergency responders, and communities to deal with a major earthquake and tsunami.
Office of Civil Defense
- Testing early warning systems
- Community evacuation protocols
- Search and rescue operations
- Management of emergency operations centers
The full-scale simulation will assess the implementation of local contingency plans and the regional disaster response framework. Participants will practice critical response actions, including managing evacuation camps and handling mass casualty incidents.
The drill will kick off at 8 a.m. with a ceremonial button press at 9 a.m. to initiate the 'Duck, Cover and Hold' procedures. Communities across the Philippines will conduct similar drills under the OCD's supervision.
Additionally, this exercise aligns with World Tsunami Awareness Day 2026, emphasizing community resilience in the face of natural disasters.