Residents and medical personnel evacuate patients from inside a hospital after a 7.6 earthquake struck Butuan City, in southern island of Mindanao late 2 December 2023. (Photo by AFP/STR)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday assured continued assistance to families affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Mindanao last Saturday.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Marcos acknowledged the ongoing efforts of various agencies and local authorities in providing essential aid and assessing the region's needs.
"While we are grateful for the lack of reported casualties and major damage, we remain vigilant," emphasized Marcos. "The Department of Public Works and Highways, together with the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, are conducting a thorough assessment of the CARAGA region."
The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are actively collaborating with local government units to ensure the immediate distribution of necessary supplies and support to earthquake victims.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology continues to monitor aftershocks to safeguard the safety of residents.
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"In these challenging times, let us remember the resilience and strength of the Filipino people," Marcos said.
"Together, we will overcome the obstacles posed by this disaster and emerge stronger," he added.
In a separate statement, NDRRMC said it is actively coordinating with disaster authorities following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It was placed on blue alert status, prompting half of its officials to stand by for potential emergencies.
Civil Defense deputy administrator for operations Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr said in a memorandum that he instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police to assign duty officers to support NDRRMC operations. Their presence aims to streamline coordination and aid in preparedness efforts.
"All NDRRMC member-agencies and RDRRMCs are required to continue monitoring their respective AORs and send updates to the NDRRMOC through the NDRMMC Monitoring Dashboard," the memorandum read.
Tsunami warning lifted
As of 4 a.m. Sunday, Phivolcs said they lifted the earlier-issued tsunami warning, stating that the "tsunami threat linked to this earthquake has now largely passed the Philippines."
Before this cancellation, monitoring stations verified the occurrence of a tsunami, noting preliminary wave heights of 0.64 meters in Mawes Island, Hinatuan, 0.18 meters in Lawigan, Bislig City, 0.05 meters in Port of Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and 0.08 meters in Mati, Davao Oriental. Phivolcs had initially urged immediate evacuation in these locations.
The earthquake, initially registered at magnitude 6.9 but later upgraded to magnitude 7.4, struck east of Hinatuan at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, followed by significant aftershocks.
As of 8 a.m., state seismologists had recorded 542 aftershocks following the main earthquake event.
