Staff and patients of Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital in Batasan Rd, Quezon City participate in an earthquake drill on September 26, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) invited the public sector to join the nationwide earthquake drill on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Speaking on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, OCD spokesperson Chris Noel Bendijo said he hoped private firms would participate in the quake drill to build an appropriate response among employees in case a strong tremor hits.

The Philippines typically conducts quake drills in government offices, public schools, and other institutions because earthquakes are common in the archipelago, and no one can predict when or where one will strike.

Stronger ones hit occasionally, causing damage to property and sometimes resulting in casualties.

Quake drill participants observe the "Duck, Cover and Hold" rule and try to familiarize themselves with the location of proper exit points and evacuation spaces.

Safety first: What to do when a deadly quake strikes

Bendijo said Thursday's nationwide quake drill begins at around 3 p.m., with a concentrated activity taking place in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

How to be ready for quakes whenever they strike

"Sa pamamagitan ng ating drill, meron na tayong eksperyensya, pag naganap na 'yung totoong sakuna, meron tayong maaalala at mapaghuhugutan kung ano'ng dapat gawin kapag nangyari ang lindol, bago mangyari, at pagkatapos mangyari," he said.

He added that the agency's quake awareness drive also reaches distant communities.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high seismic and volcanic activity.

RELATED VIDEO: