The damaged Matanao National High School in Brgy. Poblacion, Davao del Sur. (Disaster and Emergency Response and Environmental Awareness)

Local disaster reduction and response units have created community-based frontline emergency responders in anticipation of future earthquakes and other disasters, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday.

Nograles said that while there were minimal casualties in Sunday afternoon’s quake which jolted many parts of Mindanao, a magnitude 6.9 tremor that hit Davao del Sur hardest, he stressed that it “is always better to be safe than sorry.”

“Each sitio (sub-village), or each barangay nationwide, should have well-trained emergency responders and all communities should be taught on how to properly respond during all type of disasters and emergencies,” said Nograles in a statement.

Nograles said the national government has already mobilized all frontline disaster response and humanitarian assistance units to ensure that victims are immediately provided assistance.

“We will definitely provide all the assistance needed for the family of the lone fatality. Medical assistance is also being provided for the 37 people who are initially listed as injured,” said Nograles, adding that security forces were also deployed to ensure that those who are in evacuation centers are safe and the properties that they have left behind are adequately protected.

President Rodrigo Duterte is closely monitoring the progress of ongoing operations to thoroughly evaluate the damage of the quake, added Nograles, while ground units have been ordered to work round-the-clock to make sure everyone is safe and are ready for possible aftershocks.

Meanwhile, Nograles urged the public to pray for the immediate recovery of all injured victims.

In North Cotabato, Governor Nancy Catamco ordered the suspension of work at the provincial capital to allow assessment of government buildings at the compound in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City.

Catamco also directed all department heads to assist in the evaluation of various offices, all personnel of Integrated Provincial Health Office, provincial hospital, district and municipal health offices and employees of the provincial disaster management office Provincial to report for work and attend to the overall needs of the people.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) traced the earthquake’s epicenter nine kilometers northwest of Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Intensity 7 was felt in Matanao and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, and Intensity 6 in Kidapawan City, General Santos City; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani; and, Koronadal City.

It was recorded at Intensity 5 in Tulunan and Matalam, Cotabato; Cotabato City; Davao City; and Glan, Sarangani; Intensity 3 in Kalilangan, Talakag and Dangcagan in Bukidnon; and Intensity 2 in Impasugong, Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro City; and Dipolog City; and Intensity 1 in Zamboanga del Sur.

The President and youngest child Kitty were in their house in Davao City when the quake struck while his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, was on her way home.

Last October, three powerful earthquakes also hit parts of Mindanao. (PNA)