At least 12 students from various schools in the city were brought to Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that jolted Mindanao and the Visayas on Friday morning. However, as per an official statement from Hazel Cubian of the City Information Office (CIO), those who were brought to the hospital just suffered hyperventilation due to the shock they had experienced while attending their respective classes.
Digos City Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas immediately convened the Incident Operation Center (IOC) and the Incident Medical Team (IMT) of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) for a streamlined response to any reported emergencies related to the earthquake that hampered transactions in both government and public offices.
To address the need for safety and security of his constituents, Cagas swiftly declared suspension of classes in both public and private schools, as well as suspension of work in all sectors, to give ample time for the team that will conduct Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDANA) in some specified structures that could incur possible cracks and fractures caused by the quake.
CDRRMO OIC Chief John Basel Sevilla said there was no severe damage to any major structures in the city as the quake was about 183 kilometers from the epicenter.
The Gaisano Mall (GMall), which was closed to the public right after the quake, announced they are already open for business after the RDANA team declared the establishment safe and no threat to the safety of its customers.