Community responders formed after quake rocks Davao

FILE: DAMAGED. A heavily-damaged municipal hall of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur after a 6.9-magnitude quake rocked the province Sunday (Dec. 15, 2019). The building sustained cracks when a previous strong quake jolted Mindanao in October. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Allada via PNA)

MANILA — Local disaster reduction and response units have created community-based frontline emergency responders in anticipation of future earthquakes and other disasters, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday.

In a statement, Nograles said that while there were minimal casualties in the quake which jolted many parts of Mindanao, he stressed that it “is always better to be safe than sorry.”

“Each sitio (sub-village), or each barangay nationwide, should have well-trained emergency responders and all communities should be taught on how to properly respond during all type of disasters and emergencies,” Nograles said.

To date, Nograles said the national government has already mobilized all frontline disaster response and humanitarian assistance units to ensure that victims are immediately provided assistance.

“We will definitely provide all the assistance needed for the family of the lone fatality. Medical assistance is also being provided for the 37 people who are initially listed as injured as a result of the powerful quake,” Nograles said.

He noted that security forces have been deployed to ensure that all those who are in evacuation centers are safe and the properties that they have left behind are adequately protected.

President Rodrigo Duterte is closely monitoring the progress of ongoing operations to thoroughly evaluate the damage of the quake, Nograles said.

All ground units have been ordered to work round-the-clock to make sure that everyone is safe and are ready for possible aftershocks.

He, meanwhile, urged the public to pray for the immediate recovery of all the injured victims.

On Sunday afternoon, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocked Davao del Sur almost two months after a series of quakes shook parts of Mindanao.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) traced its epicenter nine kilometers northwest of Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Intensity 7 was felt in Matanao and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, and Intensity 6 in Kidapawan City, General Santos City; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani; and, Koronadal City.

It was recorded at Intensity 5 in Tulunan and Matalam, Cotabato; Cotabato City; Davao City; and Glan, Sarangani; Intensity 3 in Kalilangan, Talakag and Dangcagan in Bukidnon; and Intensity 2 in Impasugong, Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro City; and Dipolog City; and Intensity 1 in Zamboanga del Sur.

At least four persons were initially reported to have died while 14 people were injured.

Reports also showed there were roads and buildings that acquired damage.

Malacañang said the President and his family were “unhurt” when the earthquake struck.

Duterte was in his house in Davao City with his daughter Kitty while his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, was on her way home when the ground rumbled and moved.

Last October, three powerful earthquakes hit parts of Mindanao.