Children in Makilala, Cotabato undergo stress debriefing after earthquake

MAKILALA, Cotabato - Around 100 children in Barangay Poblacion in Makilala, Cotabato underwent stress debriefing on Sunday after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Mindanao on Wednesday evening.

The activity was spearheaded by the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Children aged five years old and up especially those traumatized by the effects of the earthquake and its aftershocks were gathered by SK chairman Gerson Darunday and the Barangay Poblacion Council for the one-day event.

Aside from assuring the children of their safety, the SK officials also conducted a storytelling activity and art coloring for participants.

"This is our little way of helping our children especially those that are afraid every time they felt the aftershocks," Darunday said.

Children aged five years old and up attend a stress debriefing session on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Makilala, Cotabato to help them relieve themselves of their fears after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Mindanao on Wed., Oct. 16, 2019. Photo courtesy: Gerzon Darunday

Darunday said most of the children said they were afraid even of the sound of vehicles such as the vibration caused by trucks passing by.

"We want to at least ease the fears of the children. We also hope that through these activities they will be relieved and feel safe," he added.

During the session, children were allowed to share their experiences and how they coped with them.

Some of the participants, in the middle of sharing, would stop and shed tears, Darunday said.

There were children who also said they were afraid of sleeping alone because the aftershocks may be felt even during nighttime.

"We cannot immediately say that our activity can totally relieve the children's apprehension but at least we do our share in helping them," Darunday said.

The SK chairman urged parents to make their children feel safe.

Meanwhile, dance enthusiasts held a "Zumba for a Cause" event to gather goods for earthquake victims.

Those who participated in the event were advised to bring canned goods and rice as a form of registration.

The goods collected were to be turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for distribution to families affected by the earthquake. 

Makilala was placed under a state of calamity due to the extent of damage it incurred from the earthquake.

The town was the epicenter of the temblor that claimed the lives of six people and injured 167. —KG, GMA News