22/07/2026
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ค๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ ๐๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ, ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
๐๐บ ๐๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐๐ฃ๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ | ๐๐ฆ๐ธ๐ด ๐๐ฅ๐ช๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ
Two consecutive earthquakes that shook the Bicol region last week urged St. Agnes Academy, Inc. (SAA) to conduct its first institutional earthquake drill on July 20, evaluating campus readiness while exposing areas for improvement.
The drill came in the wake of two seismic disturbances measuring magnitude 2.9 and 5.2 on July 13 and 14 respectively, spurring the institution to closely review its disaster preparedness measures and evaluate the effectiveness of its emergency response system.
According to Mrs. Erika Myla A. Puche, the Coordinator for Student Formation and Services of the High School Unit, SAA had already established procedures under its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) program to guide students, teachers, and staff during earthquake situations.
"We have crafted clear procedures on how to respond in that kind of situation," said Puche.
Moreover, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Committee highlighted the school's existing emergency response system while identifying areas that require further improvement.
Through regular meetings and orientations, the committee prepares school personnel for their emergency roles, while advisers relay these procedures to students to ensure every Agnesian knows how to respond during an earthquake.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ก๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฆ
The school currently relies on multiple communication channels during emergencies, including warning signals through bells and alarms, as well as mobile communication among members of the response team.
However, observations during the drill revealed gaps in the school's emergency communication system. Some Grade 9 students reportedly had difficulty hearing the evacuation bell, raising concerns about whether emergency alerts can be effectively heard across the campus.
"Maybe we can add another bell or improve the bells that we will use during the drill and even during the actual situation," stated Puche
๐ช๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ข๐ก๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ
Beyond communication concerns, the challenges identified during the earthquake drill reflect wider concerns in disaster preparedness, where effective emergency response depends not only on reliable warning systems and well-established procedures but also on the joint commitment of every individual.
SAA DRRM Head, Mr. John Mark Lirio, emphasized that the committee continues to cultivate a common ground for safety into Agnesian culture.
โOne of the greatest strengths of the SAA DRRM Team is how we consistently practice our plans and procedures. From conducting regular emergency drills to looking out for one another and making safety a part of our everyday school culture. โ said Lirio.
Furthermore, he also highlighted that preparedness remains a shared responsibility among the Agnesian community via active cooperation of students, teachers, personnel, and stakeholders in DRRM activities.
๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ฃ
Moving forward, the DRRM Team will strengthen the school's emergency communication system while expanding hands-on training, drills, and orientations to improve campus-wide readiness.
"One of these initiatives is the upcoming Orientation on Earthquake Evacuation Plan (BEEP), which will be participated in by the DRRM Response Team on July 25, as part of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Resilience Month 2026," added Lirio.
Furthermore, Puche also shared that the school is finalizing proposals for additional emergency supplies, including grab bags and protective hats, for use during actual disaster situations.
Through these initiatives, SAA aims to further strengthen its emergency response system and reinforce a culture of preparedness among the Agnesian community.
Photos by Sofia Mesias
