“Emphasize law and order”

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City conducted an earthquake drill at the City Hall grounds yesterday to make sure they are ready for future disasters, and while evaluators appreciated the efforts of the first responders, they said some improvements also have to be made.

According to Police Major Rully Lauron, who was one of the evaluators of the earthquake drill, particularly on the law and order aspect of the event, no one appeared to have facilitated the evacuation of people from the danger zones to safe zones.

He also said some people did not appear to take the drill seriously.

“The law and order were far from being emphasized and no clear scenario was like it was an earthquake,” he said.

However, he praised the first responders for their performance.

“They are well-prepared for the drill, and 90-95% is preparedness for the disaster team and it is considered to be the worst case of 7.2-magnitude earthquake to experience in this city,” said Andy Berame, head of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

The drill was conducted with the help of the DRRMO in Mandaue, Cebu, Talisay, and Cebu Province, the Office of the Civil Defense Guardian, the local government unit, and the Philippine National Police. — Joebelyn P. Carvajal (FREEMAN)