All SM malls in Central Luzon joined the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Tuesday.
The NSED is a quarterly National Distaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)-led activity that seeks to educate public on disaster preparedness against earthquakes and to showcase government capability on disaster response.
SM malls in Pampanga, Clark, San Fernando Downtown, Olongapo, and Baliwag held simulations on earthquake and evacuation participated by employees, tenants and staff.
This is part of their continuous promotion in providing education and awareness to its front liners and partners during natural and/or man-made catastrophe through conducting regular seminars on safety and evacuation.
Present in the drill is Acting Chief of Police Wilfredo Paolo of Mexico and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) which has been in close coordination with SM Pampanga for six years on earthquake and fire simulation. Headed by PDRRM Officer Angie Blanco, the office said that SM Pampanga is near to perfect when it comes to staging Fire and Earthquake drills.
While in SM Olongapo, employees, affiliates, tenants and agencies showed the proper way of doing the duck, cover and hold in the event of an earthquake. The Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake drill aims to test the National Disaster Response Plan as well as to highlight the capability of the establishments in responding to emergency situation especially in the management of Incident Command System.
In SM Clark, aside from the emergency evacuation practice with employees and tenants, the team made sure that People with Disability (PWDs) can lead the way during emergency situations and designated one of them to be part of the Emergency Response Team.
SM Savemore Market Apalit is scheduled to hold a seminar on its tenants on the proper Dock, Cover and Hold position in times of earthquake and evacuation.