March 13, 2025 —The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) reinforced its commitment to disaster resilience by participating in the first-quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) 2025. Led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), this initiative aimed to enhance earthquake preparedness across the country.

At exactly 2:00 PM, a total of 611 DAP personnel across its Pasig City headquarters and the DAP Conference Center (DAPCC) in Tagaytay executed the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” maneuver before proceeding to designated evacuation areas. In Pasig, 392 personnel carried out the drill under the leadership of DAP Chief Security Officer Armin James Kraft and the Emergency Response Team, while in Tagaytay, Incident Commander Lara Mae B. Mendoza led 219 personnel in executing safety procedures. Both locations conducted thorough headcounts and facility inspections to ensure readiness in the event of a real seismic event.

The drill emphasized the urgency of preparedness for potential large-scale earthquakes, including the anticipated magnitude 7.2 “Big One.” The OCD has continuously called on both public and private sectors to actively participate in such exercises to strengthen nationwide disaster resilience.

By taking part in NSED 2025, DAP reaffirms its commitment to fostering a culture of safety and preparedness, aligning with the broader goal of building a disaster-resilient nation.