Magsaysay, Davao del Sur placed under state of calamity due to earthquake

Officials of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur have placed the city under a state of calamity following the magnitude 6.3 earthquake which hit Cotabato on Wednesday night.

According to a report by John Consulta on GMA News' 24 Oras on Friday, the local government recorded 165 houses totally damaged by the earthquake while 685 houses partially damaged. 

The earthquake also destroyed a church and the Salud Cagas Technical Vocational High School in Barangay Bacungan.

Aside from its crumbling infrastructure, the computer equipment inside the school as well as its laboratory apparatuses were destroyed.

"Yung mga classroom namin parang hindi pa puwedeng gamitin. So as of now, we're looking for temporary learning area, kung puwede saan kami makagamit, siguro yung mga sira nang puno," Coordinator Dennis Sabado of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) said.

The local government declared the state of calamity to gain a budget fund to compensate and support its residents who were affected by the earthquake.

"Patuloy pa rin ang nae-experience naming trauma. Ang immediate talaga na tulong na kailangan namin, as of now, yung pagkain talaga ng ating mga evacuees. Nawalan na ng tirahan, wala pang pagkain," Magsaysay Public Information Officer Anthony Allada said.

Aside from their homes, the earthquake took several members from families as well.

"Mahirap talagang tanggapin na wala na siya ngayong araw na ito dahil ang inasahan ko pa naman maka-abroad siya sa pupuntahan niya. Yun pala, ang abroad niya, sa ibang buhay pala," a grandmother said.

Her daughter, Argen Abundo, had died trying to protect her child Jay Jay from an earthquake triggered landslides, leaving her husband with their daughter who he had been able to protect.

"Hingi ako ng sorry sa asawa ko, kasi hindi ko natulungan, yung nangyari na biglang ano yung lupa, hindi ko sila natulungan," Joy Joy Lakay said.

A two-year-old baby also fell victim to the earthquake. Chris Joy Roda died after being crushed by falling debris.

The local government promised that they would give help to every family who has lost a loved one.

Makilala town on Thursday was also placed under a state of calamity. —Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News