Malacañang on Thursday pledged to extend help to victims of the deadly earthquake that rocked parts of central Mindanao on Wednesday night, killing at least four people and injuring 27 others.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace would direct all concerned government agencies to render immediate assistance to quake victims.
“The Office of the President has already tasked all concerned agencies of the government to mobilize, respond and provide immediate assistance to those in need, as well as to study plans on how to rehabilitate the damaged areas,” Panelo said in a news statement.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake rattled North Cotabato on Wednesday night and was felt in nearby provinces.
The strong quake caused serious damage to several buildings and infrastructures in the affected areas.
Local chief executives from quake-stricken areas in Mindanao were prompted to order the suspension of classes on Thursday.
In a news conference, Panelo said, the Palace was “saddened” by the unfortunate incident.
He assured the victims that the government would exhaust all efforts to “alleviate [their] suffering.”
“We were sad to hear of the earthquake and the outcome to the victims of the earthquake. We would like to express our sympathies,” he said.
No tsunami was expected after the intense shaking in the southern country, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) assured Wednesday.
The Philippines lies along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire where many of the earthquakes and volcanic activities occur.
Panelo said the Phivolcs was closely monitoring the situation in areas jolted by the powerful quake.
He also raised the possibility that President Duterte might conduct a situation briefing on the effects of the earthquake with government authorities.
“Palagi naman siyang bumibisita kapag may ganyang mga kalamidad [He always visits areas hit by calamities],” Panelo said.
In the meantime, he advised the public to avoid false information about the earthquake.
“We ask the public to remain calm but vigilant and we urge them to refrain from spreading disinformation that may cause undue alarm, panic, and stress to many people,” Panelo said.
The Phivolcs added the 6.3-magnitude earthquake was centered 22 kilometers southeast of Tulunan in North Cotabato province at a relatively shallow depth of 8 kilometers. More than 200 aftershocks have been recorded.
The US Geological Survey placed the magnitude at 6.4 quake with a depth of 14 kilometers. Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage than deeper ones.
The Office of Civil Defense said at least 27 people were injured in the landslide in Magsaysay or from falling objects and collapsed concrete walls.
Some areas lost power, including the transport hub of Kidapawan City. A fire broke out in the Gaisano shopping mall in General Santos City shortly after the quake, but there were no reports of people trapped.
Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol of North Cotabato’s M’lang town said patients were evacuated out of a hospital to ensure their safety during the quake. Several buildings were damaged, including Piñol’s office, where the glass-windowed façade fell.
Schools in quake-hit areas, including the President’s hometown of Davao City, suspended classes on Thursday so buildings can be inspected for damage. Duterte was in the capital, Manila, when the quake struck.
Leslie Francisco, a local disaster response officer, said a small college in Digos City in Davao del Sur province had extensive damage. PNA, AP
Image credits: Romeo Elusfa-Joy FM Kidapawan