Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured that the government is assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring public safety following the powerful earthquake that jolted Davao Oriental province on Friday. In a statement, the Chief Executive said he has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard, and all concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas, activate emergency communication lines, and coordinate closely with local governments.
According to Philippines News Agency, search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is pre-positioning food and non-food items, while the Department of Health is ready to provide emergency medical assistance. The President urged residents in affected regions to stay vigilant and stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe. He emphasized the importance of following instructions from local disaster councils and barangay officials, highlighting that public safety is the government’s top priority.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially reported that a magnitude 7.6 earthquake rocked Manay town, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. Its magnitude was later revised to 7.4, with a depth of 23 km. The reported and instrumental intensities indicated significant ground shaking across various regions. Intensity V was recorded in Davao City, while Intensity IV was noted in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. Instrumental intensities were recorded in several areas, including Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; City Of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Davao City; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; and others.
Reported intensity is the traditional method of gauging intensity based on observations by people who felt the earthquake. Instrumental intensity, however, is measured using an intensity meter that assesses ground acceleration.
