The Quezon City government is gearing up for the local government unit’s programs for the inclusivity in disaster preparedness as it anticipates the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drills slated today, June 21.

The city government said that a school for children with special needs has been chosen to showcase the city’s preparedness in disasters such as earthquakes in the drill set at 2 p.m.

According to officials of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO), they will perform rescue drills and evacuation exercises at the Child’s World School located at Sta. Mesa Heights in Barangay Sto. Domingo.

“The city government has picked this special education school for children with special needs to be part of this quarter’s drill by the QCDRRMO to showcase the agency’s programs for inclusivity in disaster preparedness,” the officials said.

The drill also aims to test the efficiency and usefulness of the preparation, response and recovery plans, systems and policies developed in the city’s respective localities. All the city’s 142 barangays were given trainings on Urban Search and Rescue and Basic Life Support to immediately respond to disaster emergencies.

City government employees are expected to participate in the drill at the Quezon City Hall.

In other developments, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed an ordinance enhancing the city’s Barangay Day Care Center program.

Bautista signed City Ordinance 2683-2018 or the “Barangay Day Care Center Enhancement Program of Quezon City,” which ensures that children aged four and below will be ready to enter the formal learning system that begins in kindergarten.

According to the measure, the city shall promote and maintain equality of access to education as well as to basic educational materials given to the barangay day care students as the child’s learning capacity, personal, and social interaction will grow and develop when he/she reaches the age of five.