DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday, November 1, that he has ordered local government units (LGU) in earthquake-hit areas to immediately assess the structural integrity of all buildings in their areas.
“I already relayed the order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to all LGUs affected by the earthquake,” he said.
“Expected aftershocks might cause the collapse of these unsafe structures which may result to loss of lives,” he added.
Three earthquakes hit parts of Mindanao in the last two weeks of October.
In its latest update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from the October 29 and 31 earthquakes has increased to 10 and 4, respectively.
It said the fatalities were hit by falling debris.
The first two earthquakes, magnitude 6.3 on October 16 and magnitude 6.6 on October 29, struck southeast of Tulunan, North Cotabato.
Two days after the second earthquake, another powerful tremor with magnitude of 6.5 struck northeast of Tulunan.
All three quakes as well as the earthquake swarm and aftershocks that occurred since October 16 were inland and tectonic.
The NDRRMC said 403 people were injured while two, identified as Gilbert Superales and Miggy Attic, were still missing due to a landslide in Upper Bala, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.
The agency said a total of 6,009 families or 30,045 persons were affected in 72 barangays in regions 11 and 12 in which 2,552 families or 12,760 persons were being catered inside evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC said a total of 2,817 structures were damaged including houses, schools, health facilities, other public structures, places of worship, private establishments and roads and bridges.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC convened its response cluster to monitor and assess the ongoing relief operations and coordinate response efforts in the affected areas.
It said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already distributed relief packs. The agency is preparing to deploy more relief packs and other necessary items for the affected population.
“Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology) deployed their Quick Response Team and has been closely monitoring the seismic activities since the occurrence of the Mg (magnitude) 6.3 earthquake last 16 October in Cotabato to assess damages and prevent further risks to structures and lives,” the disaster council said in a statement.
“NDRRMC remains on standby to replenish supplies whenever necessary. The DSWD also has food and non-food items that are already in transit,” it added.
The NDRRMC also assured that search and rescue teams of affected local government units together with the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) are ready to deploy additional resources should the need for augmentation arise.
The Department of Health (DOH) has set up medic tents for those whose injuries and traumas need immediate care, the council added. (SunStar Philippines)