The sound of sirens echoed across the country as the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill commenced on March 25, 2024. In Vigan City, however, a member of the rescue team sustained injuries during one of the drills.

The incident happened during an evacuation drill in Barangay Nagsangalan. A member of the rescue team suffered from a leg injury that drill participants thought initially as part of the exercise. 

The rescuer was eventually given aid and was transported to the hospital. 

During the exercise, children and parents in the barangay were trained in the "duck, cover, and hold" technique before evacuating school premises. 

Rowena Alejandrino, a resident of Vigan City, said children should be taught to do so in case of emergencies.

"Anumang insidente o kalamidad [dapat] alam ng mga bata ang gagawin nila. Magkataon mang wala ang mga magulang nila, alam nila ang gagawin nila," Alejandrino said.

"Yun ang magsasalba [sayo], yung presence of mind mo. Huwag kang tatakbo during the shaking because anything can happen," Milagros Alquiza, Vigan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) Officer, said.

They headed to a designated vacant lot serving as an evacuation area.

Rey Castillo, the barangay captain, said it is important to know the proper evacuation procedures and actions to take during emergencies. 

"Kailangan alamin natin yung tamang proseso kung paano yung pag exit kung ano ang gagawin mo sa unang hakbang pa lang alam mo na kung saan ka tatakbo," Castillo said.