PBBM: Gov’t ensuring public safety amid strong Davao Oriental quake

By Benjamin Nathaniel Bondoc, Philippine News Agency

The President, meanwhile, urged residents in affected regions to stay vigilant and “stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe.” (Bongbong Marcos/facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured that the government is assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring public safety following the powerful earthquake that jolted Davao Oriental province on Friday.

In a statement, the Chief Executive said he has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard, and all concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas, activate emergency communication lines, and coordinate closely with local governments.

“Search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is pre-positioning food and non-food items, while the Department of Health is ready to provide emergency medical assistance,” Marcos said.

The President, meanwhile, urged residents in affected regions to stay vigilant and “stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe.”

“Follow all instructions from your local disaster councils and barangay officials. Your safety is our top priority,” he said.

“We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it. Let us continue to look out for one another and pray for the safety of all our countrymen.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially reported that a magnitude 7.6 earthquake rocked Manay town, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. Its magnitude was later revised to 7.4, with a depth of 23 km.

The following reported and instrumental intensities were logged:

Intensity V – Davao City;

Intensity IV – Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity V – Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; City Of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Davao City; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Kidawapan City, Cotabato; Alabel, And Malungon, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, and Tupi, South Cotabato;

Intensity IV – Cebu City; Sulat, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, Dulag, and Hilongos, Leyte; Hinundayan, Silago, and Sogod, Southern Leyte; Kalilangan, Malaybalay, and San Fernando, Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro City; City of Digos, Magsaysay, and Matanao, Davao del Sur; M’lang and Magpet, Cotabato; Glan, Kiamba, Maitum, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Banga, Polomolok, and Tampakan, South Cotabato; City of General Santos, Columbio, and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat; City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; City Of Surigao, Surigao del Norte; and City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

Reported intensity is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports by people who felt the earthquake.

Instrumental intensity, on the other hand, is measured using the intensity meter that measures ground acceleration.