SEVERAL local government units (LGUs) in the Davao Region suspended classes and warned residents to steer clear of beaches on Tuesday, July 30, following a tsunami alert triggered by a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off Russia’s eastern coast.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), through its Tsunami Information No. 2, said coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean could experience sea level disturbances of less than one meter. Waves were expected to reach the country between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 p.m.
“This may not be the largest tsunami, but the waves could last for hours,” Phivolcs warned.
Phivolcs advised residents in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro to remain alert, move away from shorelines, and avoid the beach. Boat owners in shallow waters were urged to secure their vessels, while those already at sea were told to stay offshore in deeper water.
The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DCDRRMO) activated monitoring protocols and advised barangays, volunteer groups, and the public to follow official updates.
In a Facebook post, the office reminded residents to avoid beaches and all shoreline activities until further notice. They also conducted live coastal monitoring.
The Department of Education–Davao City Division shifted classes to blended learning for several schools. Teachers and staff were advised to work from home. Affected schools included: AFP Logistics Command Elementary School, Sixto Babao Elementary School,
Zonta Elementary School, Osmeña Elementary School, J. Bastida Elementary School, C. Bangoy Elementary School, Binugao Central Elementary School, Sirawan Elementary School, Erico T. Nograles High School, Jose L. Porras Elementary School, Cesareo Villa-Abrille Elementary School, and Erico T. Nograles National High School.
In Digos City, Executive Order (EO) No. 35 suspended classes and office work in coastal barangays: Sinawilan, Cogon, Aplaya, and Dawis.
“The safety of not only students but also all personnel assigned to educational institutions, including teachers and non-teaching staff, is of utmost priority during any heightened natural hazard alert,” the EO stated.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Davao del Sur (PDRRMO-Davao del Sur) has suspended its classes in municipalities near the coastline: Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, and Malalag.
In the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), the local government canceled classes in coastal schools and warned residents to avoid beaches.
“We urge school administrators and barangay officials to ensure the immediate dissemination of this advisory,” read their public announcement.
Panabo City and Tagum City also suspended classes. In its advisory, Tagum CDRRMO urged residents to stay calm and not panic:
“Dili kita kinahanglang mag-panic tungod kay ubos ra sa usa ka metro ang gilaomang pagtaas sa tubing nixing ‘sea disturbance.’ Apan, kinahanglan kitang magpabilin nga alerto og andam (We don't need to panic because the expected sea disturbance is less than one meter. But we must stay alert and prepared).”
In Davao Oriental, the provincial government suspended classes at all levels, closed tourism sites, including beach resorts, and temporarily shut down offices in tsunami-prone areas. Officials reminded the public to prepare emergency kits and avoid spreading false information:
“Ang inyong kooperasyon og kahimtang kay importante kaayo sa kaluwasan sa tanan. Mag amping ug magtinabangay kiting tanan (Your cooperation is vital to everyone’s safety. Let’s stay safe and help each other),” the province said in its Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Davao Occidental suspended classes in all coastal barangays until further notice.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) advised all affected LGUs to evacuate residents living near shorelines as a precaution.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) intensified coastal security patrols and suspended all sea trips in Davao City as of noon, regardless of boat size. Boat operators were told to take precautions and follow official updates.
At 4:40 p.m. on July 30, Phivolcs lifted the tsunami alert through Tsunami Information No. 3, confirming that no significant sea level disturbances or destructive waves were observed.
“With this, any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed,” the agency stated. “This will be the final tsunami information issued for this event.”
The cancelled alert applied to multiple provinces including Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro.
The tsunami advisory was initially issued following the powerful quake off Russia’s eastern coast. RGP