GOVERNMENT relief operations for quake-affected communities are now in full swing across Mindanao following successive strong earthquakes that struck the island, including a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Surigao on Saturday.
The earthquake’s epicenter, 22 kilometers north-east of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, occurred at 10:48 p.m. generating Intensity IV in Davao City, Cagwait and Carmen.
Instrumental intensities IV were also recorded in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Nabunturan,Davao de Oro; Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, and City of Tandag in Surigao del Sur.
Authorities were still assessing structural damage in affected towns, including Tago, Surigao del Sur, where access to the Tago-Lapaz Bridge remained limited to light vehicles.
In an advisory issued Sunday by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the bridge remained passable, but at one-at-a-time passage for all vehicles and with observance of no stopping while passing.
‘Heavy six-wheeler trucks are allowed only if unloaded, while 10-wheeler trucks are advised to take alternate routes or wait for clearance,’ the advisory read.
The earthquake occurred just two days after a twin earthquake with magnitudes of 7.4 and 6.8 rocked Manay, Davao Oriental, on October 10.
8 dead, 146 injured in Davao Oriental
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its 6:00 a.m. Situation Report on Sunday on the effect of the doublet earthquake that the casualty has climbed to 8 dead, and 146 others injured.
The NDRRMC said a total of 74,649 families or 91,224 persons were affected, of which 1,600 families or 2,400 persons were served inside 17 evacuation centers, and 72 families or 267 persons were served outside evacuation centers.
The earthquakes damaged 13 road sections and 3 bridges, and also affected the operation of at least seven seaports.
The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure amounting to P600,000 was reported in Southern Mindanao. A total of 1,149 houses, all in the Caraga Region, were also damaged.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, meanwhile, reported that it has recorded a total of 1,111 aftershocks, of which 511 were plotted and 14 were felt. The aftershocks’ magnitude range from 1.2 to 5.8.
Phivolcs said Davao Oriental has experienced strong and major earthquakes before.
At least six significant earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from M7.1 to M8.3 affected Davao Oriental and nearby provinces between 1885 and 2023, based on historical records.
Phivolcs said the most recent damaging earthquakes were the Magnitude 7.1 and Magnitude 7.5 earthquakes in Manay, Davao Oriental, on May 17, 1992.
In both earthquakes, several buildings and infrastructure were damaged in Davao Oriental. A tsunami hit the eastern coast of Mindanao as well.
Phivolcs said Davao Oriental and neighboring provinces are situated in one of the seismically active regions in the country.
Among the earthquake sources are the Philippine Trench and the Philippine Fault’s East Compostela Valley, West Compostela Valley, Central Compostela Valley, Nabunturan, Caraga River, and Mati Segments. There are also local inland and offshore faults, some concealed by recent deposits, capable of generating earthquakes ranging from minor to strong magnitudes.
The Davao Oriental doublet earthquakes happened 10 days after a 6.9 earthquake hit Bogo City, Cebu, which killed 74 people and injured 559 others. The earthquake, which generated Intensity VII, affected 201,686 families or 724,843 persons in 18 cities and municipalities in Cebu. The earthquake damaged 774 public and private infrastructure,
DSWD response
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that relief assistance will remain uninterrupted to help families recover.
DSWD-Caraga Region (DSWD-13) reported that more than 70,000 families or 253,938 individuals from 199 barangays across Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands were affected by the series of tremors.
‘As of 4 a.m. on Oct. 12, all 2,933 families [11,317 individuals] who sought refuge in 58 evacuation centers have returned home, while nearly 7,000 families continue to stay with relatives and friends,’ the DSWD said in its latest update.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara meanwhile said that the Department of Education (DepEd) has frontloaded and accelerated the release of the agency’s Quick Response Funds (QRF)-a process that previously took up to two years-to provide faster assistance to schools hit by recent calamities in Masbate, Cebu, and, most recently, quake-hit Davao Oriental.
Angara joined national government officials in Davao Oriental on Saturday to assess the impact of the 7.6-magnitude and 6.8-magnitude twin earthquakes, and to oversee DepEd rapid response operations for affected schools.
As of 9:00 a.m. on October 11, DepEd reported that 1,006 schools have been affected by the doublet earthquakes near Manay, Davao Oriental, affecting around 100,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in different regions.
Among those affected, 139 learners and 50 teachers sustained injuries. To ensure safety, 97 percent of the affected schools suspended classes on Friday to allow structural inspections.
Initial visual assessments found 575 schools with varying degrees of damage, with estimated repair costs reaching P2.23 billion.
DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), engineers, and DRR coordinators are conducting rapid site inspections in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments.
US aid for victims
THE United States government has prepositioned 137,000 food packs and shelter kits for the victims of the ‘doublet’ earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on Friday.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson announced the humanitarian aid on Saturday through a post on X, tagging it with ‘#EDCAinAction,’ referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries.
‘My heart goes out to all those affected by the Mindanao earthquake and recent natural disasters,’ she said.
‘The US has provided 137K+ family food packs and 500 emergency shelter kits as we coordinate with DSWD to assess additional needs in Davao Oriental,’ she added.
Messages of solidarity and support for the families affected by the tremors continue to pour in from foreign missions and ambassadors based in the Philippines, including Japan, Australia, China, and the European Union.
In a post on X, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya conveyed hopes for the speedy recovery of communities in the region.
‘In this moment of uncertainty, Japan stands with the Philippines people with hope, strength, and solidarity. Praying for the safety and quick recovery of communities across the region,’ he said.
In a separate statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila on Saturday announced that it will provide emergency relief to the victims of the recent earthquake that devastated northern Cebu.
‘On October 10, upon the request of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Government of Japan has decided to provide emergency relief goods through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to the Philippines in response to the damages caused by the earthquake,’ it said.
‘We hope that this emergency assistance serves to support the people affected by the earthquake,’ it added.
The donation includes tents, blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping pads, portable jerry cans, and portable water purifiers.
Stable security
THE security situation in quake-battered areas of Davao Oriental remains manageable, the acting National Police (PNP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said on Sunday.
Nartatez added that this is due to the prompt deployment of police units for rescue, evacuation, and relief operations.
Nartatez said this action is in line with the directive of President Marcos who earlier directed all concerned government agencies to mobilize resources for the safety and welfare of affected communities following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 doublet earthquakes that rocked the province on October 10.
‘The situation is now under control and remains manageable. The quick response of our police personnel, in coordination with local authorities and government agencies, has helped prevent panic and maintain public order,’ Nartatez said.
‘Our personnel on the ground are securing the residents while supporting ongoing humanitarian and recovery operations,’ he said.
Initial assessments showed minor structural damage in police stations and public buildings such as cathedrals, schools, bridges, and road networks.
Despite power and signal interruptions in several towns, Nartatez said police units have maintained communication through phone patches and coordinated efforts with local disaster offices and engineering teams to assess damaged roads and bridges, particularly in Manay town, the epicenter of the doublet quakes, where a cracked bridge remains under inspection.
Nartatez commended the swift action of local police who were among the first responders in affected areas, assisting in hospital evacuations, conducting rescue operations, and facilitating the safe movement of residents to higher ground following the issuance of temporary tsunami warnings.
Nartatez also thanked the public for their cooperation and solidarity during the emergency as he assured that the PNP remains on full alert and continues to monitor the situation on the ground.
‘We thank our communities in Davao Oriental for their cooperation and trust. Rest assured that your police are on the ground, managing the situation and ensuring everyone’s safety,’ he said.