Caraga under assessment following magnitude 7.4 Hinatuan quake

The Philippine government was assessing the Caraga Region and assisting families affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit Surigao del Sur's Hinatuan town over the weekend.

In a statement, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was making the assessment with the support of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was also monitoring aftershocks.

“We continue to provide assistance to the families affected by the impact and aftermath of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Mindanao,” Marcos said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“In these challenging times, let us unite as a nation. Together, we will overcome the obstacles posed by this disaster and emerge stronger,” he added.

Marcos said the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are collaborating with local government units to provide “essential aid” to those affected.

This comes after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake — initially measured at magnitude 6.9 — struck off Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, with reported intensities of up to Intensity VII.

State seismologists soon after issued a tsunami warning, cautioning owners of boats in harbors or shallow coastal waters to secure their vessels and move away from the waterfront.

Representatives of other countries also expressed their support to the Philippines following the earthquake.

“Our heartfelt prayers for those affected by the recent powerful earthquake in southern Philippines,” the Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines said, “Stay strong, stay safe.”

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— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) December 3, 2023

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy in the Philippines warned against the possible impact of aftershocks.

“The embassy warns citizens in the southern Philippines to be cautious of the ongoing aftershocks resulting from the earthquake that struck the south province of Surigao on the island of Mindanao… and to follow what is issued by the embassy and the competent Philippine authorities,” it said.

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— Saudi Embassy in Philippines (@KSAembassyPH) December 3, 2023

— DVM, GMA Integrated News