Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Government agencies and disaster authorities held a nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on Thursday (April 21).
To help Filipinos get ready in case a quake hits the country, participants practiced the “drop, cover and hold” maneuver and other emergency responses.
Also read: How to earthquake-proof your home
The drill was conducted after a series of deadly earthquakes shook several countries, including Japan, Ecuador and Vanuatu.
The three countries, and the Philippines as well, lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire — an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen.
Related: Quakes across Pacific unrelated, says Phivolcs
The drill at the Haribon Center in Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga simulated a magnitude-7 or stronger earthquake hitting the country.
Several Cabinet members were present at the quake drill in Pampanga, such as Office of Civil Defense Administrator Usec. Alexander Pama, Social Welfare Sec. Dinky Soliman, and Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin.
They held a briefing together with Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum and officials from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other government agencies.
Also read: Preparing for possible quake disaster in Metro Manila
A simultaneous drill was held in Metro Manila at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Grandstand in Camp Crame, and another drill was held in Zamboanga City.
Authorities said emergency measures need to be reviewed since not all participants immediately heard the alarm and followed protocol.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) carried out a similar simultaneous drill last year.
Also read: 10 deadliest earthquakes in the world
CNN Philippines’ Camille Abadicio contributed to this report.
