Online quake drill postponed as OCD focus shifts to storms
MANILA, Philippines—The no-contact nationwide earthquake drill set on Thursday (Sept. 9) has been postponed to a later date to allow drill organizers to focus first on disaster response as a result of tropical cyclones bearing down on the country.
Mark Timbal, spokesperson of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said on Wednesday (Sept. 8) that the OCD, in charge of disaster mitigation, would focus its efforts on response to needs that would arise from the effects of the storms.
The quake drill postponement was also in anticipation of possible disruptions in internet connections, which are crucial to the online drill, in some areas that can be caused by weather disturbances prevailing in the country.
The major earthquake drill was supposed to be held online for the third time this year to heed health protocol and help prevent a surge in COVID cases.
There are currently two tropical cyclones within the Philippine area of responsibility — Tropical Storm Jolina (Conson) and Typhoon Kiko (Chanthu).
Jolina and the southwest monsoon continued to bring heavy rains over most parts of Luzon as of Wednesday afternoon.
