Palace wary of aftershocks

Each sitio, 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.

SOLDIERS walk among debris following a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Padala, Davao del Sur. AFP

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed a big team of responders to work round-the-clock in anticipation of strong aftershocks expected to follow the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that shook Southern Mindanao, particularly Davao del Sur.

The Palace is also closely monitoring the progress of the ongoing operations to thoroughly evaluate the damage of the quake.

But Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles disclosed that reports are still expected from the teams dispatched after the national government mobilized all frontline disaster response and humanitarian assistance units to immediately provide help to all the victims.

He also assured the public that government is on top of the situation.

“The national government, together with our local disaster risk reduction management offices, are definitely on top of the situation on this latest quake that hit Davao del Sur,” Nograles said. “We will definitely provide all the assistance needed for the families of the fatalities,” he added.

The Palace official said medical assistance is also being provided to the 37 people who were initially listed as injured.

Security forces have also been deployed to ensure that all those who are in evacuation centers are safe and the properties they left behind are adequately protected.

“And while we are still fortunate to have very minimal casualties in the series of earth movements that jolted many parts of Mindanao, these pattern of unfortunate events have prompted our local disaster reduction and response units to create community-based frontline emergency responders,” Nograles said.

“Each sitio, 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.”

“Real or imagined, we should prepare for the worst that may happen in the future. It is always better to be safe than sorry,” he added.

Chief presidential Legal Counsel and presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, meanwhile, said the Office of the President requests everyone to remain calm but vigilant in anticipation of aftershocks.

Panelo likewise asked the public to refrain from spreading disinformation that may cause undue alarm and panic among affected communities.

He added that the Executive Branch, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense, together with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, is closely monitoring the situation in Davao del Sur.

“All concerned agencies of the government have been mobilized to respond to the present conditions and provide immediate assistance to those in need,” Panelo said.

He also said President Duterte is doing fine following the tremor.

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

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

The NDRRMC on Monday confirmed at least two deaths in Region 11.

According to NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal, the fatalities were recorded in the towns of Matanao and Hagonoy in Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Their identities, however, have yet to be released.

The agency is still validating reports on the retrieval of three more bodies trapped under the collapsed Southern Trade Shopping Center in Padada town.

The NDRRMC’s latest situation report said a total of 457 aftershocks were recorded since the initial tremblor.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment on Monday assured that it will provide assistance to the victims of the earthquake.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the agency will provide the affected workers with emergency employment through the TUPAD program.

TUPAD or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not exceeding a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.