No reported casualties in Davao Occidental quake —OCD

No casualties have been reported in Davao Occidental after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the waters off the municipality of Sarangani on Saturday morning, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Sunday.

“As of 8 p.m. kagabi, wala naman po at ang una nating itinatanong kung may nasaktan o namatay, wala naman. ‘Yun ang maganda,” OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno told Super Radyo dzBB.

(As of 8 p.m. last night, there were no reports. The first thing we asked was if there were casualties, and there were none, which is a good thing.)

Nepomuceno added that there was no reported major infrastructure damage, landslides, or road damage in the affected areas.

According to the Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Intensity V was felt in Glan and Malungon in Sarangani, and Pantukan, Davao de Oro.

Meanwhile, Intensity IV was recorded in Alabel, Kiamba, and Malapatan in Sarangani; General Santos City; Tupi and City of Koronadal in South Cotabato; Davao City and Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur; Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; and Monkayo, in Davao de Oro.

Nepomuceno also reminded the public to observe earthquake safety protocols.

“Pagyanig pa lang, 'wag na isipin ng ating mga kababayan kung malakas o mahina 'yung lindol. Hindi natin malalaman 'yun,” Nepomucano said.

“'Pag yumanig na, gawin na natin 'yung duck, cover, and hold. 'Pag may pagkakataon, lumakad na sila sa open space na hindi sila mababagsakan,” he added.

(Once the earthquake hits, do not think about whether the intensity is strong or weak because we won’t be able to know that. Instead, do the duck, cover, and hold. If there is a chance, go to an open space.)

Nepomuceno also called on local government units to strengthen their protocols in checking building and construction permits to ensure the structures are built sturdily and away from hazardous areas.

“Dapat wala na ‘yan (construction) sa landslide-prone areas o liquefaction-prone areas,” he said.

(The construction should not be in landslide-prone areas or liquefaction areas.) —KG, GMA Integrated News