Baguio city: An official of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the challenge in preparing for the "big one" is ensuring all sectors of the community participate in earthquake drills with passion, not mere compliance. "We hope to reach the time when all members of the community - schools, workplaces, households - will participate in earthquake drills with the thought in their head that they are doing it to save themselves, which will allow them to save others, and not just because they are complying with an order," said Jose Ignacio Valera, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management division head of OCD-Cordillera.

According to Philippines News Agency, Valera said they hope the people's mindset would be reshaped so that self-protection becomes instinctive, with drills intended to make them safe for an unannounced natural occurrence like an earthquake. "We can never say when it will happen, but we know that constant conduct of the drills will enable people to have the mindset that it is being done for their protection, and when they are safe, they can help others who are in need," he added.

In Baguio City, scientists have identified two major fault lines that can produce a magnitude 7 earthquake. Other provinces like Apayao, Kalinga, and Abra also have fault lines, with the Abra plates moving twice in a row - in July 2022 with a magnitude of 7.2, and in July 2023 with a magnitude of 7.

Valera said the drills aim to develop muscle memory of what to do before, during, and after an earthquake, and to be constantly conscious of "safe space" during an earthquake and secondary incidents like fire. During an earthquake, he said, the 'duck, cover, and hold' is handy knowledge. "You duck so that you will not fall when there is shaking, and it will also prevent dizziness. One hand should be anchored on the ground for stability and the other to hold something that will cover the head or the nape, which are critical parts of the body that can cause major injury if hurt," he said.

After the shaking, proceed to the identified evacuation route, he said. "We encourage the public to know the evacuation route or the safety route when entering a structure because it is where they can pass to exit a building after the shaking," he added. Valera also urged residents not to "take earthquake drills for granted. We should develop the mindset that this is for our personal safety so that we become serious in our practice during drills."