PRO-NIR boosts disaster readiness in earthquake drill

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) strengthened its preparedness and response capability as it joined the third-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill here on Sept. 10.

In his message, Police Brig. Gen. Villaflor Bannawagan, PRO-NIR deputy regional director for administration, said the exercise at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. was an opportunity to test preparedness, strengthen discipline, and ensure that personnel can respond immediately and appropriately during an actual earthquake.

“An earthquake gives no warning. Our response must be immediate, organized, and instinctive,” he said.

The exercise tested personnel’s ability to communicate, coordinate, and carry out their respective responsibilities under emergency conditions.

It also gave personnel an opportunity to strengthen their familiarity with response protocols and further develop the discipline and composure needed in situations requiring immediate action.

Representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and other partner agencies assessed participants’ preparedness, response, coordination, and adherence to established emergency procedures throughout the exercise.

Bannawagan said the drill allowed PRO-NIR to determine whether emergency protocols could be effectively put into action.

He also stressed that preparedness is part of their responsibility to the public as he encouraged personnel to take the exercise seriously, observe proper evacuation procedures, identify areas for improvement, and learn from the experience.

Bannawagan said preparedness saves lives and that personnel must remain disciplined, resilient, and ready to respond when people need them most.

The Sept. 10 exercise was part of the third-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, which tests evacuation procedures, communication systems, emergency response protocols, and interagency coordination nationwide.