Port of Surigao participates in earthquake drill
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte -- The Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao took
part in the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Nov.
9, 2023.
The said
drill also focused on the potential impact of a tsunami to coincide with the
observance of the World Tsunami Day.
Working
in tandem with various government agencies and offices throughout the country,
PMO - Surigao oversaw the participation of personnel of the ports under its
jurisdiction, including the Port of Surigao (Baseport), and the Terminal
Management Offices (TMOs) in Dapa, Tandag, Dinagat, and Lipata.
The
exercise also involved the Commission on Audit (COA) staff and port
clients, all under the leadership of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) through
its National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).
The drill
utilized the Port of Surigao's seismograph equipment, which alerted occupants
on the onset of an earthquake and simulated various stages: from personnel
executing the "Duck, Cover, and Hold" to immediate evacuation from
buildings to designated emergency assembly areas. Participants then followed
safe escape routes to higher ground.
The NSED
2023 played a critical role in assessing and validating the PMO's contingency
plans. It also served as an opportunity to evaluate and enhance the readiness
of the PMO's incident management team, ensuring their preparedness to respond
effectively in the event of an actual earthquake, tsunami or similar
emergencies.
This coordinated effort underscored the commitment of PMO - Surigao to disaster preparedness and public safety. (PPA- PMO Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
