State of calamity
DIGOS CITY -- Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas has declared the entire province under a state of calamity, following the devastation brought by the Oct. 16 earthquake that hit various parts of Mindanao.
The Provincial Board passed the resolution during its regular session on Tuesday, citing the heavy damage to government and private infrastructures, injuries, and deaths in the
aftermath of the 6.3 magnitude temblor.
Prior to Capitol’s action, the towns of Magsaysay, Bansalan, and Matanao went ahead with declaring their areas of responsibility under a state of calamity following the severe damage on scores of commercial buildings and residential homes that displaced thousands of people.
In Bansalan, disaster response officials said damage was inflicted mostly on houses, barangay halls, churches, and water facilities.
Jesil Jaum, the municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer of Bansalan, said 19 individuals were injured during the earthquake.
In Digos City, Mayor Josef Cagas said they would decide whether to declare a state of calamity as soon as the damage assessment is completed.
Cagas said shopping malls, department stores, school buildings, hospitals and other relevant structures in the city suffered enormous damages, and that it would take the assessment teams more time to come up with the final report.
The mayor said the city’s building code should be revised to ensure that future constructions can withstand stronger earthquakes.
“Buildings bound for construction in that particular area must be sturdy enough to withstand a magnitude 7 earthquake to ensure the security and safety of its occupants,” he said.
Jeffrey Perez, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology supervising science research specialist, has called on the public to stop spreading unreliable information to prevent panic.
Perez told local legislators early this week that while Mount Apo remains potentially active, the volcano is in its early stages and has no chance of harming people in their lifetime. (PNA)