Butuan city: Local government units (LGUs) across the Caraga Region have convened their respective Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) and implemented wide-ranging precautionary measures following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit most parts of Mindanao on Friday morning.
According to Philippines News Agency, in Dinagat Islands, OIC-Governor Geraldine 'Jade' Ecleo immediately issued an executive order for preemptive measures, including the temporary suspension of sea travels and the implementation of preemptive evacuation protocols in coastal barangays. The Coast Guard Station in the province also enforced the travel suspension, although the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has already canceled the tsunami warning issued earlier in the day.
Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers also ordered the temporary suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools, as well as the suspension of work in government offices. "I urge everyone to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines provided by local authorities," Barbers said. In Surigao del Sur, Governor Johnny Pimentel directed all mayors to ensure the immediate evacuation of coastal communities to higher ground. Pimentel also ordered the temporary suspension of work and classes across all levels, urging residents to "remain calm, monitor official advisories, and cooperate with local authorities."
In Agusan del Sur, Governor Santiago Cane Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in all public and private schools and mandated the inspection and assessment of all buildings by the Provincial Engineering Office. Work in public and private offices was suspended to facilitate these inspections.
Butuan City also saw immediate action as the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Caraga Region (DPWH-13) quickly assessed the Magsaysay Bridge, a major infrastructure facility in the city. Their situational report confirmed the bridge to be safe and passable to light vehicles, noting that observed cracks were located at the expansion joints and did not affect the bridge's overall safety and integrity.
As of posting time, assessments of damage and other effects of the strong tremor are still ongoing in different LGUs.
