Google map of Magsaysay town, Davao del Sur.
DIGOS CITY – The local chief executive of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, has extended the suspension of classes in four schools due to possible structural damage caused by the tremor that hit the province Tuesday evening.
Mayor Arthur Davin said building officials, the municipal disaster risk reduction and management council (MDRRMC) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are still conducting an intensive evaluation on the school buildings to ensure the safety of students.
Davin said students of Barayong National High School, Bala National High School, San Isidro National High School, Tacul Agricultural High School, and Salud Cagas Technical Vocational High School will not be allowed to hold classes until July 12, pending reports from evaluators.
He said Senior Fire Officer 4 Edwin Silagan is leading the post-earthquake inspection of affecting buildings including the municipal hall, whose ceilings collapsed during the 5.3 magnitude earthquake.
Anthony Allada, the town’s information officer, said two aftershocks that occurred at about 8:45 Wednesday morning sent the students of Barayong National High School into a near stampede.
Several students were brought to a hospital for bruises sustained as they struggled to get out from the four-storey school building, Allada said.
He said at least two town employees also fainted when the aftershocks occurred.
At least two aftershocks were recorded on Wednesday at 2 a.m. and 8:56 am registering 5.1 and 4.9 magnitudes, respectively.
Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas has earlier issued an executive order suspending classes on all levels in the entire province.
In Davao City, Wednesday's aftershock also caused panic among high school students at Crossing Bayabas National High School.
According to Col. Alexander Tagum, Davao City Police Office chief, about 145 students experienced nausea and dizziness and some even fell unconscious. At least 47 were brought to the hospital.
Tagum said 911 responders and other rescue groups immediately responded to the area. (PNA)
