DFA Consular Office in La Union Participates in the Q2 National Earthquake Drill
DFA Consular Office in La Union’s Officer-In-Charge Estellita V. Casuga discusses the importance of the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill. (RCO La Union photo)
LA UNION 25 June 2018 – As part of its mandate to sustain and promote regular disaster preparedness and response, the Consular Office La Union of the Department of Foreign Affairs participated in the Second Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill at the Consular Office in Manna Mall on 21 June 2018. Approximately 50 passport applicants with a scheduled appointment at 2:00 P.M. also took part in the earthquake drill.
Nine members of the Philippine National Police-San Fernando City were present to observe and monitor the earthquake drill in DFA Consular Office La Union.
Before the drill, Consular Office La Union’s Officer-in-Charge Estellita V. Casuga encouraged everyone to actively participate in the drill. She discussed the importance of conducting an earthquake drill, and reminded them to respond effectively in the event of an earthquake in order to lessen or zero out injury and death.
Casuga also requested the applicants to disseminate the information to their families, relatives, friends, and neighbors, and to protect themselves in case of earthquake.
A brief discussion and demonstration of the essential “Duck, Cover, and Hold” procedure was carried out by Consular Office La Union’s Administrative Officer Michael John C. Angeles, while the Consular personnel simultaneously demonstrated to the applicants the technique.
Alarm sirens blared through this Consular Office’s public address system at exactly 2 in the afternoon to simulate an earthquake event, which lasted for one minute. As the siren stopped, applicants fell in a single file in an orderly manner and marched towards the predetermined exit route, led by the designated staff leaders, as they made their way out to the designated evacuation area away from the mall building.
After the drill, all passport applicants, consular officers and staff were accounted for, and followed one line in returning to their respective areas within this CO’s premises
Casuga expressed her gratitude to all participants, including members of the PNP, for their cooperation that contributed to the successful conduct of the earthquake drill. The drill exercise lasted for about three minutes and no untoward incident happened during the activity. END
Mr. Michael John Angeles briefs the participants about the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” as the Consular Office’s personnel demonstrate. (RCO La Union photo)
DFA Consular Office La Union’s staff and applicants exit orderly and quickly towards the evacuation area, as PInsp. Espinueva of the Philippine National Police observes and monitors the activity. (RCO La Union photo)
DFA Consular Office La Union’s staff and applicants move out from the Mall building towards the designated Evacuation Area. (Right Photo) Consular Office La Union Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Estellita V. Casuga checks any injury for referral to First Aid Responders and headcount of evacuees. (RCO La Union photo)