TUCP solon advocates more frequent earthquake drills in the workplace
In response to a string of powerful earthquakes across the Philippines, a House deputy speaker and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines party-list representative, Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, called on companies to make earthquake drills a regular habit. He argued that repeated practice builds workers’ muscle memory, a crucial factor when disaster strikes and quick, correct actions are needed to save lives.
“Beyond seemingly token and ceremonial compliance, we should make preparedness a habit and earthquake readiness a work culture. We urge companies across the nation to hold at least twice a month drills to build muscle memory among workers especially when disaster strikes,” Mendoza stated recently. His remarks come as the nation sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot known for volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes.
The lawmaker emphasized that preparedness should not be a one-off event or a checkbox on a compliance list. Instead, he urged employers to integrate drill schedules into existing operations—embedding safety first into corporate manuals, work plans, and labor-management dialogues. This approach, he argued, benefits both employers and workers by creating a safer, more resilient work environment.
A culture of safety rather than ceremonial drills
According to Mendoza, the goal is to move from “token” safety practices to a living culture of preparedness. He highlighted that regular, well-structured drills help employees respond instinctively when real earthquakes occur, potentially reducing injuries and saving lives. The concept of “muscle memory” in emergency scenarios means that trained workers can act swiftly—drop, cover, and hold on—without needing to pause to consult manuals during a crisis.
Context: Recent seismic activity underscores the need
The call for more earthquake drills follows a series of tremors that rocked various parts of the country over the past two weeks. On Sept. 30, a magnitude 6.9 quake struck northern Cebu, resulting in 74 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Then, on Oct. 9, a 4.4-magnitude tremor hit Northern Luzon northeast of Pugo, La Union, prompting temporary suspensions of classes and government office work. The list of alarms continued on Oct. 10 with a 7.4 quake off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental, and a 6.8 magnitude event later that evening, both accompanied by tsunami warnings. Eight lives were lost in the twin Davao Oriental quakes, highlighting the human stakes involved in every incident.
In the wake of these events, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council activated response clusters and raised its red alert status to coordinate the disaster response. The moment also featured a series of aftershocks and additional tremors, including a 5.0-magnitude quake in Cabangan, Zambales, and a 6.0 tremor off Surigao del Sur, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of seismic activity in the region.
What companies can do now
To translate Mendoza’s call into tangible results, business leaders can take several practical steps:
- Increase drill frequency to at least twice a month with clear objectives, roles, and debriefs after each exercise.
- Integrate emergency procedures into daily routines and labor-management discussions to ensure buy-in from workers.
- Conduct drills that simulate various scenarios, including tremors in multi-floor facilities, near-miss incidents, and evacuations to assembly points.
- Review and update evacuation routes, assembly areas, and shelter-in-place protocols to reflect the realities of each workplace.
- Provide ongoing training on recognizing hazards, shutting down dangerous equipment, and assisting colleagues with limited mobility or injuries.
“Wala dapat pilitan sa pagtatrabaho lalo na kung nasa peligro ang kanilang buhay mismo,” Mendoza added, underscoring the human imperative behind his policy suggestion. The focus is on protecting lives while maintaining business continuity during emergencies.
Looking ahead: A shared responsibility
As the country continues to recover from recent quakes and faces the ongoing risk of aftershocks, the call for more robust earthquake drills resonates beyond any single sector. Building a culture of preparedness requires collaboration among employers, workers, and government agencies. When drills become a regular part of the workday, employees gain confidence, supervisors gain actionable data on safety gaps, and communities benefit from more resilient workplaces that can withstand future seismic events.
Ultimately, the proposal aims to empower workers to exercise their right to refuse unsafe work and to do so with the knowledge that their workplaces are committed to their safety—even in the toughest moments of a quake season. With the country’s seismic landscape never fully predictable, proactive preparation remains a prudent, lifesaving investment.
