Marcos urges Mindanaoans to heed tsunami warning after magnitude 7.8 earthquake

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Filipinos in affected provinces in Mindanao to heed the tsunami warning and move to higher ground now, following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit offshore Sarangani.

“Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” Marcos stressed in a statement.

The President said that he has directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately after a tsunami warning has been raised by PHIVOLCS.

“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind. I am in constant communication with our regional offices and local chief executives on the ground,” Marcos assured.

He said the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are now coordinating disaster response and monitoring across all affected areas.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, was directed to pre-position relief goods and ensure that evacuation centers are ready and operational.

The President said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is also on standby to assess damage to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations.

Classes suspended

Marcos also announced that he has ordered the suspension of classes in all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice.

“The safety of our children comes first. DepEd will coordinate with local government units on this,” he said.

In an advisory, PHIVOLCS said the earthquake happened at 7:37 a.m. and initially recorded at magnitude 7 with a depth of 10 kilometers.

But in a second advisory, state seismologist upgraded the magnitude to 7.8 with a depth of 33 kilometers. It was located 05.57°N, 124.98°E - 032 km S 04° W of Maasim, Sarangani. —AOL, GMA News