SAFE AND SOUND. Students of the Matalam National High School in Matalam, North Cotabato stream out in an orderly manner from their four-story school building after the magnitude 5-quake that hit North Cotabato on Friday (Oct. 11, 2019). The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported no damage to both life and property due to the tremor. (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PDRRMO)
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Disaster management officials reported zero casualties and damage to properties from the magnitude 5 tremor that hit North Cotabato Friday.
“No reported damages, no reported casualties and we are glad about this report,” North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) action officer, Mercy Foronda, said.
“We also somehow felt relieved that the temblor occurred at daytime where people can see what is happening around. Had it come at night, the story would have been different,” Foronda added.
There were reports of panic and fear among the students in various schools across the city, especially those on the third or fourth floors of their school buildings.
Classes were suspended in this city and nearby Makilala town after the 9:55 a.m. earthquake, the epicenter of which was traced some 16 km. west of Makilala.
Other schools in the province continued with their Friday classes after the quake.
At least 16 aftershocks were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) after the quake.
While the tremor was a bit strong, Foronda said nobody was hurt, injured or got dizzy after the quake.
“I will attribute this to the regular holding of earthquake drills in the province,” she said, urging the public to take seriously the earthquake drills that the local government units regularly hold in their respective localities. (PNA)
