Minor infrastructure damage in Koronadal due to quake, says mayor

The 6.6-magnitude earthquake that rocked Mindanao on Tuesday morning caused minor damage to infrastructure in Koronadal, the mayor of the South Cotabato city said.

Interviewed on Balitanghali, Mayor Eliorde "Bebot" Ogena said that one wall collapsed while the ceiling of the Gaisano Mall caved in after the quake, but many of the city's buildings that were damaged only had cracks.

“I’m expecting a report coming from our engineers [...] para mag-report sa’min kung ano ang assessment nila sa structural integrity of the buildings kasi dapat ingatan namin ‘to, kasi first time namin ‘to, hindi namin alam kung ga’no katibay ang mga building namin dito,” he said.

“Wala namang problema sa mga daan namin, wala namang tumumbang poste dito ng electricity. Medyo kinabahan lang ang mga tao dito kasi pambihirang earthquake ito e. First time na maka-experience kami ng malakas, mas malakas sa nung October 16 e. Ang pakiramdam namin [parang] medyo matagal,” the mayor added.

The mayor was referring to the 6.3-magnitude quake that struck Mindanao two weeks ago. 

Ogena has suspended classes in all levels and office work until further notice.

Meanwhile, earlier reports listed 66-year-old Nestor Narciso as the only casualty in the city so far.

No evacuations were recorded in any of the Koronadal hospitals, but Ogena said all patients were immediately transferred to the first floor to ensure their safety.

The hospitals have already requested temporary shelters for their patients from the local government.

Ogena said he is still awaiting the findings of the district and provincial engineers who are currently assessing the extent of the damage to the infrastructures in the city.

The mayor has also reminded Koronadal residents to stay calm and anticipate aftershocks.

“Sinasabi namin na ‘yung aftershock ay talagang expected ‘yan, so maging maingat, maging vigilant, ‘wag magpunta sa mga gusali na mga four to five storeys [tall]. Talagang maging alerto, [but] despite that marami pa ring kinakabahan dahil hindi kami sanay talaga sa earthquake na ganito kalakas,” he said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News