MANILA, Philippines – The city government of Makati conducted earthquake drills in public schools across the city on Friday, four days after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Negros Oriental.

Students were made to get out of their classrooms and proceed to identified evacuation areas, such as school quadrangles and open spaces.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) advised students and teachers to take the drills seriously for their own safety because it will benefit them in the event of a strong earthquake hitting Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC said it will require schools to conduct earthquake drills quarterly and will also call for a nationwide drill in March.

The earthquake that jolted the Negros-Cebu region left at least 39 people dead with 66 still missing. -- Report from Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News