Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill 2026 to be held on June 18 —OCD

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The event will be held in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council member agencies.

Officials will participate in a ceremonial pressing of the button at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City to signal the start of the NSED.

It will be followed by the official launch of the Harmonized National Contingency Plan (HNCP) for High-Intensity Earthquake in Greater Metro Manila Area, the OCD said.

The HNCP lays out the coordination plan for the national government, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils , and local government units during major earthquakes including the "Big One."

Under the HNCP, agencies in neighboring regions as well as Regions III and IV-A will proceed to Metro Manila and provide immediate search, rescue, and operational support.

A tabletop exercise simulating a magnitude 7.2 earthquake caused by the movement along the West Valley Fault will also be held as part of NSED.

It will test the HNCP and strengthen coordination among national and regional response systems and assess operational readiness during major earthquakes affecting Metro Manila and nearby regions. —KG, GMA News