The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has mobilized its member-agencies to extend assistance to local government units providing aid to affected residents of the series of earthquakes in Mindanao.
“The NDRRMC is maintaining close coordination with respective regional DRRMCs and agencies to ensure delivery of basic needs, services, and assistance required,” NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said.
Jalad, who also administers the Office of Civil Defense, bared that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Mines and Geosciences Bureau have conducted ground and aerial surveys in Cotabato and Davao del Sur “to collect damage data and analyze the same to prevent further risks.”
“Phivolcs and MGB recommended areas in the hinterlands of Makilala, Cotabato and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur for immediate and forced evacuation due to the danger of earthquake and rain-induced landslides,” he stressed.
These areas were among the most affected when the magnitude-6.6 and -6.5 earthquakes rocked Tulunan, Cotabato on Oct. 29 and 31, respectively. Prior to these, a magnitude-6.3 quake jolted the town on Oct. 16.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard have been ordered to utilize its subordinate units for the conduct of search and rescue operations in support of local government officials.
Jalad said two persons were still missing in Davao del Sur following the series of quakes in Tulunan. Seventeen persons were killed while 327 others were injured in the two earthquakes.
A total of 4,127 families from 149 barangays in Davao region and Socsargen or the South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City area were being served inside 27 evacuation centers while some 1,370 families were being served outside temporary shelters.
Building and site inspections were also conducted throughout the region by the Department of Public Works and Highways, building officials, and regional DRRMCs to assess the damage and structural integrity of major roads, buildings, and other public infrastructures. (Martin Sadongdong)
