June 19, 2025 – In support of the government’s continuing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sultan Kudarat Provincial Office actively participated in the 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on June 19, 2025, at exactly 9:00 AM.

 

The activity aimed to reinforce the culture of safety and readiness among personnel by simulating earthquake scenarios and practicing the standard “Duck, Cover, and Hold” response. The drill also served to assess the efficiency of evacuation procedures and the readiness of employees in case of seismic events.

 

Recognizing that earthquakes may also trigger secondary hazards such as fires, the NSED was followed by an Orientation on Fire Prevention and Safety, conducted through the support and expertise of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sultan Kudarat Provincial Office. BFP personnel from the Tacurong City Fire Station led the orientation, emphasizing the importance of fire safety awareness, basic fire prevention measures, and emergency response protocols in the workplace.

 

The orientation provided practical knowledge and safety tips, including the proper use of fire extinguishers, identification of fire hazards, and evacuation strategies in the event of a fire. The session complemented the earthquake drill by highlighting how disasters can compound and why an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction is essential.

This initiative reflects the shared commitment of DILG and BFP to uphold safety, increase awareness, and build a disaster-resilient public workforce.