THE death toll in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that rattled Mindanao, particularly Davao Region, on Wednesday, October 16, rose to three while over 20 people were injured and several structures, including the municipal halls in Davao del Sur, were damaged.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao information officer Leslie Francisco said in a situation report Thursday morning, October 17, that the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Operation Center has been closely monitoring its area of responsibility for any reported damage and casualties in coordination with the local DRMMC.
"As of this report, we have monitored through Facebook pages and Messenger of reported damage and casualties in Magsaysay and Digos City, Davao del Sur, and Malita, Davao Occidental but no official sitrep (situational report) received from the concerned Local DRRMCs," the report said.
OCD-Davao said three persons reportedly died, including a two-year-old boy named Crisjoy Chuan Roda in Barangay San Isidro, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur due to collapsed wall debris.
Argen Abundo, 22, female, and her son, Jay Lakay, nine-month-old, from Barangay Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur died due to landslide.
Twenty-one people sustained injuries in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur and were rushed to Digos City Provincial Hospital. All the injured are still subject for verification and validation from the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the magnitude 6.3 tremor that hit North Cotabato was felt at Intensity 7 in Tulunan, North Cotabato, M'Lang, North Cotabato, Kidapawan City; Intensity 6 in Digos City, Davao del Sur; Sto. Nino, South Cotabato; Tacurong City; Intensity 5 in Alabel and Malungon, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi, South Cotabato; Koronadal City; Roxas and Pikit, North Cotabato; General Santos City; Davao City; Kalamansig, Lebak and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat; Intensity 4 in Kiamba, Sarangani; Esperanza and Rosario, Agusan del Sur; Kalilangan, Quezon, Kadingilan and Damulog, Bukidnon; Mawab, Compostela Valley; Cotabato City; Matanog, Barira and Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao; Intensity 3 in Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur; Iligan City; Dipolog City; Intensity 2 in Butuan City; Zamboanga City; and Intensity 1 in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
After the disaster, several school buildings were damaged, including the Bala National High School, San Isidro National High School, and Doña Salud High School in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.
The Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur and Kauswagan Elementary School in Matanao also incurred partial damage.
For the buildings, the municipal halls of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, and Matanao, Davao del Sur suffered minor structural damage. Likewise, Gaisano Market Place, Novo Department Store, and Laderas Building were also damaged.
The OCD-Davao also reported around 10 damaged houses in Barangay Poblacion and Barangay San Isidro, while another one in Malita, Davao del Sur was destroyed. The damaged houses are still subject for validation. The affected families are temporarily staying in their neighbors' houses in safer areas.
There were power interruption reported in Davao del Sur and as of 10 a.m. Thursday, October 17, as per the Department of Energy (DOE) updated report, Mindanao's power situation is already back to normal.
The OCD-RDRRMC said it is closely monitoring the damaged buildings in Davao del Sur and Davao City. Continuous coordination with RDRRMC member agencies has been taken for immediately response to the affected local government units.
Davao del Sur PDRRMC and Magsaysay MDRRMC Emergency First Responders conducted search and rescue operations in the affected areas and immediately transported all injured individuals to the nearest hospitals.
The Magsaysay Municipality and Davao City issued class suspension in all levels, while Davao del Sur issued province-wide government work and class suspension in all levels.
Bansalan Municipality issued a suspension of work in all municipal offices except MHO and MDRRMO.
The Bansalan MDRRMO has also activated its Camp Management and Camp Coordination to check the affected areas.