Valencia City joins nationwide magnitude 8.5 mega-quake drill

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – Ten-year-old Ray Mark woke up early with one thing in mind: survival.

Located 15 kilometers from Valencia City’s economic hub, the Tongan Tongan Elementary School student joined thousands of “terrified yet prepared citizens across the nation.”

They dove under desks for the life-saving “duck, cover, and hold” routine as the Fourth Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill was held on Thursday morning, Nov. 5.

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“We must be ready in our own way when the ground trembles,” Ray Mark said in Cebuano, describing the tense moments spent following his teachers’ urgent instructions alongside his classmates.

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READ: 3rd no-contact nationwide quake drill set on Sept. 9—OCD

The nationwide exercise simulated a catastrophic magnitude 8.5 earthquake and killer tsunami scenario.

Across Valencia City, public offices, schools, emergency response units, and the Bravo Reserve Company rushed into action.

June Ray Valero, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, issued a grave reminder of the danger, emphasizing that when disaster strikes, every second counts.

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The drill tested emergency capabilities across 31 barangays and participating private establishments to ensure citizens know their evacuation routes before catastrophe strikes.

Highlighting the Philippines’ precarious place on the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, authorities stressed that these high-stakes drills can prevent deadly panic during a real disaster.