Surigao del Sur residents still traumatized by magnitude 7.4 quake

A number of residents in Surigao del Sur shared a common experience from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake and the numerous aftershocks that struck the municipality of Hinatuan on Saturday evening: they were traumatized.

Based on an “Unang Balita” report of RGil Relator from GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, families residing in coastal areas and low-lying areas immediately evacuated their homes after the powerful earthquake, for fear of a tsunami.

Families sought whatever shelter they could find to protect them from the tremors, with one even using a tricycle.

“Mahirap. Grabe, pareho lang noong nakaraang gabi. Grabe, ma-trauma na kami lalo na kapag gumalaw ang bahay namin,” said Remy Labajo.

(It's very difficult. It’s just the same as last night. It’s too much. We were traumatized when our house started moving.)

John Marc Ayuban, meanwhile, said he was scared of the aftershocks that sometimes hit beyond magnitude 6.

“Nararamdaman pa rin namin ang takot, nerbiyos talaga. Konting paggalaw lang ng lamesa, kahit na wala pang aftershock, ang nasa isipan, aftershock na naman,” he shared.

(We are still so afraid, we are so nervous. Even when the table slightly moves, we start thinking its another aftershock.)

Floredlyn Bolquerin said she has a hard time sleeping because of the earthquake.

“Hindi kami makatulog. Kanina pa talaga, wala kaming tulog,” she said.

(We cannot sleep. It’s been so long, we haven’t slept since.)

Due to the absence of transportation, many residents had to walk several kilometers from their homes to evacuation centers.

“Wala kasi kaming sasakyan… Nakakapagod,” said Mirasol Bagayo.

(We don’t have a car… It’s very tiring.) 

One resident, Mira Panlilio, had to carry her baby on foot, saying it was already their second time to evacuate. She said she was still in a constant state of fear.

Jocelyn Bandiola said she was only able to bring some clothes in her haste to evacuate.

The Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Monday a total of 108,633 individuals or 31,481 families transferred to evacuation centers due to the magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

Two persons died due to the earthquake—one in the city of Bislig, and one in the municipality of Barobo, according to Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga director Liza Mazo.
—RF, GMA INTEGRATED NEWS