As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and response, the Provincial Government of Cavite, through the Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO), successfully conducted a Tabletop Exercise on June 19, 2025 held at the Carmona Operations Center in Barangay Maduya, City of Carmona. The exercise simulated a Magnitude 7.2 earthquake with Intensity 8 ground shaking, carried out in line with the 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, reinforcing the province’s proactive approach to disaster risk management.
The activity brought together key responders and stakeholders from various government agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Carmona and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMO) of Silang and General Mariano Alvarez (GMA), as well as representatives from the Office of the Provincial Engineer (OPE), Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (OPSWDO), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development – IVA, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Also present during the activity was OCD Region IV-A Regional Director Carlos Eduardo Q. Alvarez III, who delivered an inspirational message underscoring the importance of preparedness, collaboration, and continuous learning in minimizing the impact of natural disasters. He commended the Provincial Government of Cavite and all participating agencies for their dedication to strengthening local disaster response mechanisms.
The exercise was structured into three key modules. The first module, Initial Response and Guidelines, focused on activating emergency protocols, facilitating information flow, and rapidly assessing initial damages and casualties immediately after the earthquake. The second module, Response, emphasized inter-agency coordination, deployment of resources, maintaining communication lines, and real-time situational reporting in a dynamic emergency environment. The final module, Review, provided a platform to evaluate the activity, identify operational gaps, share best practices, and recommend strategies to enhance the province’s earthquake preparedness and response systems.
Through the simulation, participants assessed the effectiveness of current contingency plans and strengthened coordination among response units in the event of a major seismic event. The TTX also served as a vital step in enhancing Cavite’s overall disaster resilience by identifying challenges and crafting proactive solutions to mitigate the impacts of large-scale earthquakes.
