Nationwide earthquake drill set for Sept. 21, 2017 suspended

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday suspended the nationwide earthquake drill set for Thursday.

NDRRMC chairperson and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the decision after President Rodrigo Duterte called off classes and government work on September 21 for the "National Day of Protest."

The quarterly earthquake drill was supposed to be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday.

"Since most of the Regional DRRM Councils have selected government offices and schools as its pilot area, the National Council deemed it necessary to conduct the 3rd quarter NSED [Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill] to a later date. This is to ensure maximum participation to the earthquake drill," the NDRRMC said in a statement.

The new schedule of the 3rd quarter NSED, which aims to promote disaster preparedness and resilience among communities, is yet to be determined. —Virgil Lopez/KG, GMA News