Students gather at the soccer field awaiting announcement that all is clear and they can go back to their classes

The University Safety and Health Committee conducted a safety drill led by the Security Office to adequately prepare community members on what to do in case of an earthquake and other similar emergencies.
 

The drill was concentrated in the Medicine, Engineering and the CIT buildings. Students and faculty members, upon hearing the siren, ducked and took cover under tables and doorways. In pairs, they then proceeded to the nearest exit and headed to the soccer field, where the teachers did a headcount to check if all students in the class were safely out of the building.
 

Helping XU with the drill were representatives from the City Police, Air Force, Department of Labor and Employment, Commission on Higher Education, Red Cross, Department of Health, Civil Defense, private industry and the Safety Organization of the Philippines Inc.
 

“Education is less costly than tragedy,” said Abel Idusma of the Philippine Air Force during the assessment. He said that although conducting drills is not a complete guarantee of safety, it can lessen the impact of disasters.
 

It was unanimously recommended to conduct a safety drill twice a year, and to increase information, education, and communication campaign to boost awareness of students, faculty and staff on safety procedures in cases of emergencies.