NDRRMC on 'blue alert' status after Davao quake

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) placed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) under “blue alert” status following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that jolted Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Friday. 

Blue status means half of the NDRRMC will be on standby to ensure enough manpower will be available in case of contingencies.

“Civil Defense officials at the national and regional level are closely monitoring the progress of the operations, coordinating with the local government unit disaster managers,” said OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno in a statement. 

“We have placed the NDRRMC under blue alert, requiring the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection to render duty to support response activities,” he said. 

Assistance will be provided to residents affected by the tremors, as instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Nepomuceno added. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that a magnitude 6.8 tectonic earthquake struck Sarangani, Davao Occidental at around 4:14 p.m.

The epicenter was located 05.48°N, 125.16°E - 034 km N 88° W of Sarangani Island (Davao Occidental) at a depth of 72 km.

PHIVOLCS initially put the earthquake's magnitude at 7.2.

PHIVOLCS reported the intensities in the following areas:

Intensity VI - Kiamba, Sarangani; Polomolok, South Cotabato; City of General Santos

Intensity V - Pantukan, Davao de Oro; City of Tagum, Davao Del Norte; Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; Alabel, Maasim, and Malungon, Sarangani; Banga, Lake Sebu, Tampakan, and Tupi, South Cotabato; City of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat 

Intensity IV - City of Zamboanga; Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; City of Davao; Banisilan, Kabacan, and City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Malapatan, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, Norala, and Santo Niño, South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, Lebak, Lutayan, President Quirino, and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; City of Bislig, and Hinatuan, Surigal del Sur; Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao; City of Cotabato

Intensity III - Kalilangan, Bukidnon; Laak, and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Aleosan, Antipas, M'lang, Magpet, and Pigkawayan, Cotabato; City of Isabela, Basilan; Jolo, Sulu

Intensity II - Don Carlos, and San Fernando, Bukidnon; Maco, and New Bataan, Davao de Oro; Carmen, Cotabato

Intensity I - Cabanglasan, Dangcagan, Libona, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Maramag, Talakag, and City of Valencia, Bukidnon; Mambajao, Camiguin; Balingasag, and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental 

The instrumental intensities were felt in the following areas:

Intensity V - Matanao, Davao del Sur; Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; Maasim, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Banga, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, and Tampakan, South Cotabato 

Intensity IV - Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; Davao City; Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Kiamba, Sarangani; Norala, and Tantangan, South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Columbio, Esperanza, Isulan, Kalamansig, Lebak, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat 

Intensity III - City of Zamboanga; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; M'lang, Cotabato; Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity II - Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; City of Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Balingasag, and Initao, Misamis Oriental; City of Cagayan de Oro, Carmen, and Pikit, Cotabato

Intensity I - San Lorenzo, Guimaras; City of Talisay, Cebu; City of Dapitan, Liloy, and Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Talakag, Bukidnon; Tubod, Lanao del Norte; Alamada, Cotabato; City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur

PHIVOLCS said aftershocks and damage should be expected. It added there is no tsunami threat due to the earthquake.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos had already instructed related government offices to extend assistance to the affected residents and ensure their safety. 

“The President has instructed every relevant government agency to promptly take action to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected,” PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil said. 

Damage monitored in GenSan, Davao

The OCD said the massive quake caused power outages in General Santos and the Lebak town in Sultan Kudarat.

Several establishments in General Santos City, and residential houses and a school in Sarangani sustained damage. 

Meanwhile, a part of a crane broke and sent debris falling from a building under construction in Matina, Davao City due to the tremors. 

The OCD said it is still validating reports one person died in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.—LDF, GMA Integrated News