Earthquake-hit Manay, Davao Oriental placed under state of calamity

The Municipality of Manay in Davao Oriental has declared a state of calamity following the two earthquakes that hit off the town on Friday.

The first earthquake, recorded at magnitude 7.4, hit in the morning, while the second one, magnitude 6.8, occurred early in the evening.

Declaring a state of calamity would allow the town to access funds for response and rehabilitation efforts.

The earthquake affected all 17 barangays, and as of Friday evening, electricity had not been restored.

Mayor Jon Marco Dayanghirang said they would need help from the national government because the earthquake, particularly the first one, damaged houses and other structures like bridges, government facilities, and schools.

Among the facilities that were damaged is the Manay District Hospital.

The hospital management was forced to convert a vacant lot into a ward for the safety of patients and personnel.

The ceiling of the emergency room gave in, while the hospital’s administration building also sustained massive damage—cracks were found on its floors and walls, and its glass windows shattered.

A female patient who was hit by a hollow block during the quake would have to be transported to Mati City because the x-ray machine at the hospital was damaged.

At least six people died in the Davao Region following the morning earthquake.

Based on data from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), at least three died in Mati City, while two fatalities were recorded in Pantukan, Davao de Oro.

In Davao City, an 80-year-old man died after being hit by a collapsing concrete wall in Purok 3, Soliman, in Barangay Tomas Monteverde, according to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

The woman who died in Mati City also got pinned by a perimeter wall of an office behind the boarding house where she was staying.

As of 9 p.m. on October 10, the recorded at least 498 aftershocks from the two earthquakes. —GMA Regional TV