Students join nationwide earthquake preparedness drill in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY — Students, teachers and staff of Saint Louis University joined thousands of participants across the country on Thursday in the First Quarter 2026 Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, practicing the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” safety procedure as part of efforts to strengthen earthquake preparedness.

The exercise formed part of the nationwide initiative led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to improve disaster awareness, coordination and emergency response capabilities among institutions and communities.

The drill in Baguio began at 3 p.m., with multiple earthquake simulation scenarios staged across the city to test local emergency response systems.

The Baguio Convention Center served as the Emergency Operations Center and Incident Management Team headquarters, where officials conducted the ceremonial pressing of the drill activation button at 3:30 p.m.

Four key locations across the city were designated as simulated earthquake incident sites: SLU Main Gate, the Harrison Road–Gov. Pack Road Rotonda, Quezon Elementary School along Upper Session Road, and the garden area of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Participants carried out evacuation and safety protocols, including the standard “Duck, Cover, and Hold” procedure, which disaster authorities promote as the immediate protective action during strong ground shaking.

Local officials said the full-scale exercise was part of Baguio City’s earthquake preparedness plan, designed to test coordination among responders, assess emergency communication systems and reinforce safety awareness among the public.

The Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill is conducted quarterly across the Philippines to ensure institutions, schools and government agencies remain prepared for potential seismic events in the country, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire.