CITY OF MALOLOS – To increase public awareness and preparedness due to the series of earthquakes in various areas of the country, the city disaster risk reduction and management council has ordered all public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the city to conduct a mandatory simultaneous earthquake drill on Oct. 13.
The barangay disaster risk reduction and management committees were also instructed to cooperate in the earthquake drill in their respective areas to ensure coordination, safety and compliance of schools.
Holy Infant School in Barangay Sta. Isabel and La Consolacion University of the Philippines (LCUP) were among who conducted an earthquake drill.
Upon the alarm signal that there was a simulated earthquake, the students together with the teachers performed duck, cover, and hold. Then they slowly moved out of the buildings and assembled atthe empty lot away from the buildings while still covering their heads with books.
Mary Grace Revelante, designated guidance of Holy Infant School, said that each classroom has first aid kits in case any students are injured in a disaster such as an earthquake.
While LCUP, in consideration of the safety of students and with their crisis management committee guided by the initial call from the Association of Schools of the Augustinian Sisters, recommended a temporary modification of teaching modalities in their university.
Early Childhood Education classes have been moved to the online modality from Oct. 13-17, while Grades 4-10 will have the face-to-face schedules from Oct. 13-17. Other classes will be held in synchronous online sessions.
The college, night college, College of Medicine and Graduate School will remain in their previous class modalities this week and retreat activities have been postponed until Oct. 15.
All students are also reminded to bring their personal go bag containing a small flashlight, whistle, water bottle, snack, and a list of parents or guardians’ contact information.
According to the Malolos CDRRMO report, 59 public schools, 43 private schools and 10 universities and colleges participated in the simultaneous earthquake drill.
