CentCom joins earthquake drill to improve response time

CEBU, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command (AFP-CentCom) participated in the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill to improve its response time in delivering service to affected areas when a disaster strikes.

CentCom Spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar explained the importance of the camp’s contingency plan "Pagluwas" in achieving “zero-casualty” during these incidents.

"Pagluwas is a mobilization plan on how we can provide the disaster response task force," he said.

Aguilar highlighted the importance of response time during these kinds of disasters as every second counts to the affected people.  He believes that this contingency plan will help them accomplish it.

He added that aside from keeping themselves safe during earthquakes, the soldiers have an additional job to do.

"Sa military, we have an additional task. Aside from the dos and don’ts during earthquake, we also need to look on how can we help," he said.

Office of Civil Defense training officer Dennis Atto said that coordination and communication are critical in stabilizing these situations, which is part of the things they observe within the six phases of an earthquake drill.

The six phases of an earthquake drill include alarm, responses (drop, cover, hold), evacuate, assembly, headcount and evaluation.

Incident Commander Colonel Ariel Bionat said they need to improve on the first phase.

He said that due to the large area covered by the whole CentCom, the alarm wasn't audible to everyone. Despite this and the bad weather, Atto evaluated the drill as very satisfactory.

"There are key points to improve, ang uban dili seryoso but weather isn't a hindrance.  We just also want to make sure that in the events like these, they (the military) must not be the casualty kay sila ang savior nato," he said.

Atto also expressed that it is everyone's duty, whether it is the military or a civilian, to be always prepared for these incidents. (FREEMAN)