In support of the government’s continuing efforts in promoting disaster awareness and preparedness, all personnel, staff, and stakeholders of the Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro participated in this year’s 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Thursday, 09 June 2022.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council started the event with an online forum via Zoom and Facebook Live followed by the Ceremonial Pressing of the Button led by NDRRMC Chairperson and National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Participants from the PMO along with those from Oroport Cargohandling Services, Inc. – the Port of Cagayan de Oro’s cargo handling operator, the neighboring Shell Northern Mindanao Import Facility, and the Ports of Balingoan, Benoni, and Opol performed the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” during the simulated earthquake that was indicated by the fire alarm siren. Emergency vehicles (fire engine and ambulance) of Oroport (cargo handling operator) were also deployed during the simulation. The Port Police made net call to all stations, relaying status reports and damages as done during actual disasters.
In compliance with the minimum public health protocols per NDRRMC Memorandum No. 71, s. 2020 and with the city placed under Alert Level 1, evacuation was still excluded from the activity and all participants stayed in their respective workstations for the whole duration of the exercise.-BCAcedera