18/06/2026
๐จNationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) 2026๐จ
On June 18, 2026, West Fairview High School, located on Austin Street, participated in the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), an activity conducted every quarterly to strengthen disaster preparedness among students and school personnel.
The drill was organized with the participation of the Batang Emergency Response Team (BERT), SDRRMC, Boy Scouts, BERT Adviser Mr. Rhamell C. Gabion, Head Teacher of the MAPEH Department and the SDRRM Coordinator Ms. Vilma M. Labaday, BSP Scoutmaster Mr. Archibald Salangsang. During the activity, reminders and safety policies were also given to increase the chances of survival and safe evacuation during an earthquake.
The NSED was initially announced by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier this week to train students on the proper actions to take during an actual earthquake. The activity aims to prepare communities for the possibility of "The Big One," a major earthquake expected to affect areas along the West Valley Fault, particularly the National Capital Region.
Following the drill, an evaluation was conducted by Ms. Vilma M. Labaday. The school's previous evacuation time was recorded at 2 minutes and 40 seconds, while the current evacuation time was 2 minutes and 46 seconds, showing only a 6 second increase.
Police Officer Archibald Mactantan of Police Station 5 shared important reminders and safety policies to help students and community members increase their chances of staying safe during an earthquake. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm, following proper evacuation procedures, and staying alert to ensure everyoneโs safety during emergencies.
Mr. Rhamell C. Gabion emphasized that despite the significant increase in the student population, particularly with the addition of more Grade 7 students, the evacuation time increased by only six seconds, reflecting the school's continued commitment to disaster preparedness.
Meanwhile, Mr. Archibald Salangsang discussed observations regarding casualty simulations and earthquake awareness. Compared to the March drill, where the clinic experienced overcrowding after the activity, only four students visited the clinic during this drill despite the larger student population this school year. He also highlighted previous estimates regarding the West Valley Fault, noting that older MMDA data projected approximately 30,000 casualties should the fault move. However, he emphasized that this estimate is outdated and that casualty figures could be significantly higher in the coming years.
Through activities such as the NSED, West Fairview High School continues to promote preparedness, awareness, and resilience among its students and personnel, reinforcing the importance of being ready before disaster strikes.
Source: WFHS English Campus Journalist
๐ธ: Mikhail Casas | SSLG President
โ๐ป: Caszandra Singson | SSLG Secretary
๐ผ๏ธ: John Aaron Gelordo | SSLG Public Information Officer