Mindoro State University (MinSU) Main Campus actively participated in the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held on March 12, 2026, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness across the country.
The exercise, which involved hundreds of students, faculty members, and administrative staff, aimed to test the University’s emergency protocols and the efficiency of local responders in a simulated seismic event. This form of active participation is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness across the country.
To ensure a seamless operation, a pre-drill briefing, coordination meeting, and dry run exercise were held a day prior to the actual earthquake drill. This preparatory phase allowed various participating agencies to synchronize their roles, ensuring that the transition from the initial alarm to the final evacuation was both orderly and systematic.
The drill was a collaborative effort led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) under the leadership of PDRRM Officer Vincent B. Gahol.
Joining the exercise were the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Health Office (PHO), Provincial DOH Office (PDOHO), and the Social Welfare and Development Offices (P/MSWDO).
Emergency response units, including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Victoria, MDRRMO Victoria, Pinamalayan MDRRMO, and the PNP Victoria Municipal Police Station, were also on-site. They were supported by the Victoria Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) and the University’s own ROTC medics and medical team.
To make the simulation as lifelike as possible, student volunteers acted as casualties, allowing responders to practice triage and rescue operations in designated staging areas. This high-pressure environment tested the speed and accuracy of the medical teams in handling simulated injuries.
Mr. Nelson A. Albuera, Municipal Administrator of LGU-Victoria, emphasized the paramount importance of safety for those on the frontlines, reminding participants that the safety of the rescuers is just as critical as that of the victims.
"We need our responders to be safe and ensure that everyone returns home safely after the activity," Albuera said during the post-drill evaluation.
Instilling a 'Culture of Safety'
As the alarm sounded across the campus, the academic community immediately executed the "Duck, Cover, and Hold" maneuver - a vital life-saving technique used to seek cover and protect oneself from falling debris.
Once the simulated shaking stopped, students and staff filed out of their classrooms and offices in an orderly manner, heading toward designated assembly areas. Safety officers and facilitators were stationed throughout the campus to monitor the flow of the evacuation, ensuring that everyone adhered to safety protocols and avoided panic.
This hands-on exercise is part of the University’s broader initiative to institutionalize a "culture of safety" within the campus. The goal is to ensure that every member of the MinSU community remains knowledgeable, alert, and ready to face the real-world threats posed by seismic hazards.
The activity was held in strict compliance with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Memorandum Nos. 073 and 075, s. 2025, as well as PDRRMC Memorandum No. 30, which aims to strengthen the synergy between academic institutions and local government units, ensuring a unified and prepared front when disaster strikes. (jdtdc)
via Joan Ramirez
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