Lipa City, Batangas – October 15, 2025. The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) strengthened its commitment to safety and disaster preparedness through a comprehensive Fire Safety and Earthquake Drill conducted in collaboration with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Lipa City. The activity aimed to enhance awareness, responsiveness, and preparedness among students, faculty, and staff amid the country’s ongoing seismic activity linked to the Philippine Fault Line.
The drill commenced with welcome remarks from Mr. Jimmy Laguitan – the Security and Safety Officer, who expressed his gratitude to the offices and college departments that made the activity possible. He emphasized the timeliness and importance of the drill, stating, “This activity is very relevant today, lalo na dahil aktibo ang Philippine Fault Line at nararanasan natin ang mga pagyanig nitong mga nakaraang araw. Kaya’t mahalagang matutunan natin ang tamang kaalaman at kahandaan sa ganitong mga sitwasyon.”
The event featured an informative lecture and orientation led by Fire Officer I Khen Mark Derick D. Deveza and Senior Fire Officer I Joel Contreras from BFP Lipa City. The first session focused on Earthquake Preparedness, covering topics such as the nature of earthquakes, common hazards, safety protocols like “Drop, Cover, and Hold,” and proper evacuation procedures during seismic events. The second session tackled Fire Safety and Response, including discussions on fire hazards, prevention measures, and the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Following the lectures, participants took part in a demonstration of earthquake evacuation procedures and a simulation of fire response techniques, which included alarm activation, orderly evacuation, fire suppression demonstrations, and movement to designated assembly areas. These practical exercises aimed to translate knowledge into actionable preparedness and ensure that all members of the UBLC community are capable of responding efficiently during emergencies.
The program concluded with a debriefing and evaluation session, where BFP officials and university’s emergency response team provided feedback and assessed the overall performance of the participants. A brief question and answer session followed, allowing the community to raise questions and clarify procedures for continuous improvement in future drills.
Through this initiative, the University of Batangas Lipa City reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring the safety, awareness, and readiness of its community. The collaboration between UBLC and BFP Lipa City underscores the university’s proactive approach to risk management and disaster resilience – essential values in safeguarding lives and fostering a culture of preparedness.