At least 21 elementary schools in Cagayan de Oro City received various emergency and rescue equipment from a non-government organization and an oil company during the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The rescue assets and emergency equipment will be used to strengthen disaster preparedness and response in schools.
The equipment, which includes fire extinguishers, wheelchairs, and other safety tools, was donated by the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), with support from a big oil company.
“Naghatag sila sa ato ug dakong paglaum, kasigurohan, peace of mind, ug pagbati nga sa panahon sa emergencies naa diay tay partners,” Cagayan de Oro City Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Roy Angelo Gazo, said.
“Naay area nga hazards sa likod nga sloping area sa among school sa atubang naay ginagmay. Busa dakong tabang ni labi na ang fire extinguisher ug ang wheelchair,” Macasandig Elementary School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coordinator, Norman Moncada, added.
Gazo added that many public schools cannot afford to purchase such emergency equipment on their own, making these donations vital for ensuring safety and preparedness.
“Dili kaya paliton sa atong mga eskwelahan importante ni siya kay mao ni gamiton sa pagtudlo, instructions sunod pahanon sa emergency naay magamit sa mga eskwelahan,” Gazo said.
Members of the Department of Education Cagayan de Oro City School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Team demonstrated disaster response procedures during the earthquake drill.
The team showed how to use high-angle rappelling, basic bandaging, and victim extrication techniques, showcasing their readiness to respond to emergencies within school premises.
Meanwhile, employees from various local government units in SOCCSKSARGEN also participated in the earthquake drill as part of the efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness against the threat of strong tremors.
In General Santos City, employees from different offices carried out the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” procedure during the drill.
Moments later, participants calmly evacuated the building and gathered at designated open areas, where attendance counting was conducted. Ambulances and emergency response teams were also placed on standby to simulate real-life emergency readiness.
“They responded positively to the call for the simultaneous earthquake exercises, they executed properly of what is required in the drill,” General Santos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Head, Dr. Bong Dacera, said.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) emphasized the importance of the drill, citing recent earthquakes in Cebu and Davao as reminders of the need for preparedness. The earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu claimed more than 70 lives and injured more than 500 individuals while the tremors in Manay, Davao Oriental left 10 people dead and hundreds of individuals injured.
“Ang nangyari sa Cebu at Davao at ang banta ng malalakas na lindol sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa ay nagsisilbing babala at paalaa sa atin na kinakailangan ang agarang pagkilos at patuloy na pagtutulungan,” OCD Chief of Staff, Assistant Secretary Cesar Idio, said.
(With reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)
