CSU joins NSED to fortify 'conditioned response' to quakes

March 25, 2024, Butuan City – Caraga State University, led by University President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, participated and served as the regional ceremonial venue for the CY 2024 First Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) as endorsed by the Office of the Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) of CSU, headed by DRRM Director Mr. Vincent N. Cotoron, coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga on the conduct of the Regional NSED.  

OCD Regional Director and Regional DRRMC Chairperson Liza R. Mazo, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Vice Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness Director Maria Loisella E. Lucino, and representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) observed the drill. This activity coincided with the university's supposed schedule of fire and earthquake drills on March 27, 2024. To accommodate the NSED, the drill was moved to an earlier date, March 25, 2024, at the New Administration Building. CSU personnel, the DRRM Core group, and the CSU Red Cross Youth actively engaged during the activity.

The Office of Civil Defense spearheaded the simultaneous earthquake drill in partnership with various national and local agencies and academic institutions to bolster disaster preparedness and response capabilities and strengthen the mechanism for national and regional coordination. The activity aimed to fortify CSU's conditioned response to earthquakes, particularly in light of the recent unsettling seismic events since December of last year.