Earthquake-stricken town in Surigao Norte hosts Caraga’s NSED
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Once devastated by the 6.7-magnitude earthquake in February 2017, the municipality of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte served as the ceremonial site for the 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) in Caraga region on September 11.
The drill, led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga, aimed to strengthen disaster preparedness and community resilience in earthquake-prone areas. San Francisco was chosen for its historical significance, having sustained major damage during the 2017 quake that left homes destroyed, infrastructure compromised, and lives lost across Surigao del Norte.
One of the vice-chairpersons of the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Department of Science and Technology Caraga Director Noel M. Ajoc, imparted his message of support for the 3rd Quarter NSED which was delivered by Engineer Manolito R. Tapangan, DRRM focal person of DOST Caraga.
In Dir. Ajoc’s message, he emphasized that the province of Surigao del Norte lies along the Philippine fault zone. As such, the province has historically been susceptible to earthquakes which have caused not only structural damages but also secondary hazards such as landslides, liquefaction, and even tsunami threats. Taking all these into consideration, he concluded that earthquake drills are indeed vital.
“The NSED is more than just a routine–it is a technical requirement for disaster preparedness, safety, and resilience,” said Dir. Ajoc. “Today’s drill is a reminder that prevention and mitigation begin long before disasters strike. And by continuously practicing the ‘duck, cover, and hold’ protocol, testing evacuation routes, and validating our emergency system, we are strengthening both physical defenses and our collective readiness,” he added.
Municipal Mayor Val P. Pinat of San Francisco accepted the challenge of hosting the 3rd Quarter NSED for calendar year 2025 as a proactive step toward evaluating the town’s current level of preparedness.
In his remarks, the mayor emphasized that the drill was not only symbolic but essential in ensuring that the municipality would never again suffer the same scale of destruction and loss experienced in 2017. He reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to investing in disaster risk reduction and community education, recognizing preparedness as their strongest defense.
“Being the host for this quarter’s NSED is indeed a very big help for us here in the municipality of San Francisco, especially since we have already experienced a traumatic, high-magnitude earthquake in the past,” said Mayor Pinat. “We will not let history repeat itself. We will stand more prepared and resilient than ever.”
Leading the OCD Caraga team was the Head of the Rehabilitation and Recovery Management Section, Kim C. Durango. He temporarily took the place of OIC-Regional Director Lorene S. Catedral who was, at the time, in Manila together with the region’s delegates to participate in the national simulation exercise.
“We have sent a team of responders to Manila as our contingents for the 3rd quarter NSED as 2nd Wave Assisting Region to showcase our skills, equipment, and our readiness to respond in the event of ‘The Big One’,” shared Durango.
“Here in the municipality of San Francisco, we too, will test our readiness, identify gaps in our emergency response, and most importantly–instill a culture of safety and preparedness in all sectors and in every level of society. So that when such situations arise, we are ready and we are prepared to respond,” he further noted.
He also encouraged all the participants not to look at the NSED as an ordinary drill or simulation, rather, each one must treat the activity as a real-life scenario and practice life-saving measures to protect themselves.
San Francisco, a coastal municipality who experienced extensive structural damage and emotional toll in the past, demonstrated remarkable resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Today, the community stands stronger, more prepared, and more determined to reduce disaster risks — evident in the outstanding outcome of their drill. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)
