Earthquake Drill Procedures Pilipinas 2025: Complete Guide for Homes, Schools, Workplaces & Communities

Introduction: Why Earthquake Drills Save Lives

When a major earthquake strikes, you have only seconds to react. Muscle memory developed through regular drills can mean the difference between life and death. In the Pilipinas, where earthquakes are a constant threat, conducting proper earthquake drills is not just recommended—it's essential. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step procedures for conducting effective earthquake drills in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

1. Understanding the Four Phases of Earthquake Response

1.1 The Duck, Cover, and Hold Drill

The foundation of all earthquake drills in the Pilipinas, based on international best practices:

2. Home Earthquake Drill Procedures

2.1 Preparation Before the Drill

• ☐ Schedule drill date and time (choose when all family members are home)
• ☐ Brief family members on drill objectives
• ☐ Designate one person as drill coordinator/timer
• ☐ Identify safe spots in each room (under sturdy tables, desks)
• ☐ Establish primary and secondary meeting points outside
• ☐ Prepare emergency kit for accessibility check

2.2 Step-by-Step Home Drill

Phase 1: Alarm (Earthquake Alert - 0:00)

1. Drill coordinator shouts "LINDOL!" or sounds alarm
2. All family members immediately DROP to hands and knees
3. Each person COVERS under nearest sturdy furniture or against interior wall
4. HOLD position, protecting head and neck

Phase 2: Shaking Period (0:00 - 1:30)

• Maintain DROP, COVER, HOLD position for 60-90 seconds
• Drill coordinator may call out scenarios: "Building is shaking strongly!"
• Practice staying calm, protecting vulnerable areas
• If under table, hold onto legs and be prepared to move with it

Phase 3: Evacuation (1:30 - 5:00)

1. Coordinator shouts "STOP SHAKING - EVACUATE!"
2. Check for immediate hazards (broken glass, fallen objects)
3. Put on shoes if nearby
4. Proceed to exits calmly (do NOT run)
5. Use stairs ONLY (never elevators)
6. Help children, elderly, persons with disabilities
7. Bring emergency kit if accessible
8. Exit building and move to designated assembly point

Phase 4: Assembly and Accountability (5:00 - 10:00)

• ☐ All family members gather at designated meeting point
• ☐ Conduct headcount - account for every person and pet
• ☐ Assess for injuries (simulated)
• ☐ Practice contacting out-of-area emergency contact
• ☐ Stay at assembly point for 5 minutes (simulate aftershock preparedness)

2.3 Post-Drill Review

• ☐ Time the drill - record total evacuation time
• ☐ Discuss what went well and what needs improvement
• ☐ Identify obstacles encountered (blocked exits, difficulty finding shelter)
• ☐ Update emergency plan based on lessons learned
• ☐ Schedule next drill (minimum every 6 months)

3. School Earthquake Drill Procedures

3.1 Mga Kinakailangang Legal

Per DepEd Order, all schools must conduct:

• Minimum of 4 earthquake drills per school year (one per quarter)
• Drills during different periods (morning, afternoon, different class schedules)
• Unannounced drills at least twice per year
• Documentation of all drills with evaluation reports

3.2 Pre-Drill Preparation

Administrative Tasks (1-2 weeks before)

• ☐ Notify parents of upcoming drill via advisory
• ☐ Coordinate with local DRRM office for evaluation
• ☐ Brief all teachers and staff on roles and responsibilities
• ☐ Prepare evaluation forms and clipboards
• ☐ Identify students with special needs requiring assistance
• ☐ Check all evacuation routes and assembly areas

Classroom Preparation (1 day before)

• Teachers review DROP, COVER, HOLD with students
• Identify safe spots in each classroom (under desks/tables)
• Assign student leaders (line leaders, door holders, buddy system for special needs)
• Review evacuation routes with students
• Practice classroom headcount procedure

3.3 School Drill Execution

Signal System

During the Drill

Phase 1: Alert and Response (0:00 - 0:30)

• Alarm sounds - students immediately DROP, COVER, HOLD
• Teachers ensure all students are under desks/tables
• Students in hallways move to nearest classroom or against interior wall
• Students in laboratories/workshops secure equipment first if time permits

Phase 2: Shaking Period (0:30 - 2:00)

• Maintain position for 60-90 seconds
• Teachers model calm behavior, provide reassurance
• Practice covering head/neck with arms or books

Phase 3: Evacuation (2:00 - 8:00)

1. Evacuation signal sounds
2. Teacher opens classroom door (prevents getting stuck if frame warps)
3. Students line up as practiced
4. Assigned student leaders check lavatories/back rows
5. Class exits in orderly manner (no running, no talking)
6. Follow designated evacuation route
7. Teachers bring class list and emergency mga suplay
8. Students stay in line, maintain class grouping

Phase 4: Assembly and Accountability (8:00 - 15:00)

• Each class proceeds to designated assembly area
• Teachers conduct headcount using class list
• Report missing students immediately to drill coordinator
• Search team checks building for stragglers (if drill includes this)
• Principal announces total evacuation time and headcount status

3.4 Special Considerations for Schools

Different Locations at Time of Earthquake

4. Mga Proseso ng Earthquake Drill sa Trabaho

4.1 Mga Kinakailangan ng DOLE

Per Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Order No. 198-18:

• Minimum of 1 comprehensive earthquake drill per year
• Additional fire and emergency drills as required
• Documentation in company safety logbook
• Participation of at least 80% of employees
• Coordination with building management (for multi-tenant buildings)

4.2 Workplace Drill Planning

Drill Team Roles

4.3 Office Building Drill Execution

Pre-Drill (5-10 minutes before)

• Drill team members take positions
• Observers stationed at key locations
• Timers prepared to record evacuation times
• First aid station set up at assembly area

Drill Sequence

1. Alarm Activation (0:00)
   • PA announcement: "EARTHQUAKE DRILL - DROP, COVER, HOLD"
   • All employees immediately take cover
   • Duck under desks, protect head/neck
2. Shaking Period (0:00 - 2:00)
   • Hold position for 90-120 seconds
   • Practice staying calm
   • Secure loose items if possible
3. Evacuation Order (2:00)
   • PA: "STOP SHAKING - BEGIN EVACUATION"
   • Floor wardens direct employees to exits
   • Use stairs only (elevators disabled during drill)
   • Assist persons with disabilities
4. Building Evacuation (2:00 - 10:00)
   • Proceed calmly to nearest stairwell
   • Keep right, allow emergency responders to pass on left
   • No re-entry until all clear
   • Floor wardens do final sweep, close doors
5. Assembly and Accountability (10:00 - 20:00)
   • Gather at designated assembly area
   • Department heads conduct headcount
   • Report missing persons to assembly coordinator
   • Search team investigates if needed

5. Community-Wide Earthquake Drills

5.1 Barangay Earthquake Drill

Preparation Timeline

• 4 weeks before: Form organizing committee, set date
• 3 weeks before: Conduct training for barangay emergency response team
• 2 weeks before: Distribute information materials to residents
• 1 week before: Hold community meeting, answer questions
• 1 day before: Final coordination with partner agencies (police, fire, medical)

Drill Scenario Components

6. Drill Evaluation and Improvement

6.1 Evaluation Criteria

6.2 Post-Drill Report Template

• Date and Time: When drill was conducted
• Type: Announced or unannounced
• Participation: Number of participants, percentage of total
• Timing: Response time, evacuation time by area
• Strengths: What worked well
• Areas for Improvement: Identified issues
• Corrective Actions: Specific steps to address issues
• Next Drill Date: Scheduled follow-up

7. Special Scenarios and Variations

7.1 Nighttime Earthquake Drill

• Practice responding from sleep (stay in bed, cover head with pillow)
• Navigate in darkness using flashlights
• Locate emergency mga suplay without lights
• Practice using glow sticks/emergency lighting

7.2 Earthquake While Outside

• Move away from buildings, trees, power lines
• Drop to ground, protect head
• Stay low until shaking stops
• Watch for falling debris from nearby structures

7.3 Multi-Hazard Drills

Combine earthquake with:

• Fire: Earthquake causes fire, requiring evacuation from different routes
• Tsunami: Coastal areas practice immediate evacuation to high ground
• Aftershocks: Practice taking cover multiple times during drill

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

8.1 Frequent Drill Errors

9. Key Takeaways

1. Practice regularly - minimum twice per year for homes, quarterly for schools
2. DROP, COVER, HOLD is the universal response - teach it to everyone
3. Time your drills - aim to reduce evacuation time with each drill
4. Vary your drills - different times, scenarios, and conditions
5. Make it realistic - treat drills seriously to build muscle memory
6. Review and improve - every drill should lead to better preparedness
7. Include everyone - special accommodations for persons with disabilities, elderly, children

10. Resources

• NDRRMC: National drill guidelines and coordination
• DepEd: School drill kinakailangan and procedures
• DOLE: Workplace safety drill kinakailangan
• PHIVOLCS: Earthquake preparedness materials
• Pilipino Red Cross: Drill facilitation and training