Nationwide earthquake drill set on Thursday

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) urged the public to participate in the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill tomorrow, April 21, said Luisito Santos in his report over Super Radyo's dzBB.

OCD spokesperson Mina Marasigan said they expect more people will participate in the activity, which would be held a few days after strong temblors hit Kumamoto prefecture in Japan and Ecuador.

Marasigan added that the objective of the drill is to improve the skills and capability of response agencies and the reaction of the public to natural disasters. The Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga has been identified as the command and control center of the government in case an earthquake strikes the West Valley Fault.

The OCD earlier launched a social media campaign encouraging netizens to use the hashtag ‘pagyanig challenge.’ A ceremonial launching will be held 8:30 a.m. at the Air Force City, Clark Airbase in Pampanga. — BAP, GMA News