Marcos Jr. Speaks on Davao Oriental Earthquake that Hit the Province Today
DAVAO ORIENTAL EARTHQUAKE – President Bongbong Marcos assured that the government is now assessing the situation following the 7.4 magnitude quake.
Recently, several strong quakes have shaken some parts of the Philippines — and undeniably caused alarm among many Filipinos. This morning, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that was later on downgraded to 7.4 magnitude hit Davao Oriental province. It caused massive destruction in several areas across the province.
According to the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs), the epicenter of the quake was located at 7.07°North, 127.06°East off shore Manay. It had a depth of focus of 10 kilometers.
Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning following the 7.4 magnitude Davao Oriental earthquake. It advised the residents of the coastal areas in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Surigao del Sur, and nearby provinces to evacuate immediately to higher ground or move farther inland.
The strong quake brought many people in Davao Oriental as well as the nearby provinces rushing out from their homes for safety. Patients and staff of several hospitals in Davao Oriental also evacuated from the hospital premises for their safety. Students also were guided out from the school premises.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos immediately spoke on the 7.4 Davao Oriental earthquake amid countless residents in the province evacuating. Based on a report on GMA News, the President assured that the government is now assessing the ground situation.
“We are now assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring that everyone is safe,” the President said.
According to Marcos Jr., they are “working round the clock” to make sure that the help reaches all those who are needing it. He also advised the Filipinos to continue looking after one another.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it. Let us continue to look out for one another and pray for the safety of all our countrymen,” he said.
Based on the report, Pres. Bongbong Marcos confirmed that he has already ordered the different concerned agencies including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to quickly carry out evacuations in areas near the cost.
Furthermore, reportedly, Marcos Jr. said he already instructed the agencies to activate their active emergency communication lines and coordinate closely with the LGUs (local government units). He assured that they are already preparing for relief operations.
“Search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe to do so,” the President said.
Apart from the quake, in Davao City, a teacher and five (5) students were left injured after the ceiling of a classroom collapsed.