The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), joined the 2026 Second Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), as the government continues to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response systems nationwide.
About 1,000 personnel from both agencies took part in the exercise, which simulated emergency scenarios to test evacuation procedures, communication protocols, and inter-agency coordination during a major earthquake.
The drill forms part of the government’s broader disaster risk reduction and management program, conducted simultaneously across the country to involve national agencies, local government units (LGUs), schools, workplaces, and communities. It is designed to assess readiness, identify gaps in response systems, and reinforce public awareness of earthquake safety measures.
The DILG said preparedness remains a critical function of government in a country highly exposed to seismic risks, stressing that effective response depends on planning, coordination, and repeated practice rather than last-minute action.
The agency also urged LGUs to strengthen coordination with local disaster risk reduction and management councils, regularly conduct emergency drills, and ensure that contingency plans are updated and aligned with identified local hazards.
It further encouraged local governments to fully utilize the Operation L!STO Manual on Disaster Preparedness for Earthquakes, which provides standardized guidance on preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation measures before and after seismic events.
Officials emphasized that disaster resilience requires a whole-of-nation approach, noting that government preparedness must be matched by community-level readiness.
Recent earthquakes in different parts of the country have underscored the importance of sustained preparedness efforts, with officials reiterating that readiness must be built long before any actual disaster occurs.