DSWD Davao field office on alert for effects of magnitude 6.4 quake

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is closely monitoring the effects of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that hit Manay, Davao Oriental on Wednesday morning.

In a statement, the DSWD said its Field Office (FO) 11 – Davao Region is on alert, although its personnel temporarily evacuated their office building following the tremor.

The field office assured Davaoeños that it is ready to conduct a rapid damage and needs assessment in affected areas should the need arise.

“Naka-standby na po ang ating regional offices upang agad na tumugon kung kinakailangan. Patuloy po ang monitoring ng Field Office 11 para masigurong handa ang tulong ng gobyerno para sa mga naapektuhan ng lindol,” said DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

(Our regional offices are on standby to immediately extend aid if needed. The Field Office 11 is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure that the government’s aid is ready for those affected by the earthquake.)

The DSWD FO-11 said it is ready to help affected residents with 50,633 family food packs (FFPs) and P1,284,657.25 in standby funds.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake rocked Manay, Davao Oriental and nearby areas at around 11:02 a.m. Wednesday.

The earthquake was earlier logged as magnitude 6.7 but was downgraded in a later bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The DSWD said it is coordinating with concerned local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies on the assistance needed by affected communities.

Social protection assets such as mobile kitchens, a mobile command center, and a mobile water system are on standby and ready for deployment.

The DSWD also advised the public to be vigilant and wait for official advisories as authorities continue to monitor the effects of the earthquake. — JMA, GMA Integrated News