QUAKE RESPONSE. Engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways - South Cotabato 2nd District Engineering Office inspect a building at the Baluan National High School in General Santos City on Thursday (Oct. 17, 2019). The inspection was in line with the strong earthquake that jolted the city and other parts of Mindanao on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of DPWH-Soccsksargen)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Government and private buildings, and other vital infrastructure here remain safe for use and occupancy after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that jolted the area and other parts of Mindanao on Wednesday night.
In an advisory released on Thursday night, the city government said there were slight to moderate damages observed in architectural components of some buildings in the city but their overall structural integrity remains intact.
These were based on inspections conducted by teams from the City Engineer's Office, Office of the Building Official, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“No major structural damages were noted. All roads and bridges remain passable,” it said.
Due to such findings, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera declared local school buildings and classrooms as safe for the resumption of classes Friday.
Following the earthquake, which was felt at Intensity IV in the city, the mayor declared class suspensions in all levels in private and public schools on Thursday to facilitate the inspection of school buildings and other related structures.
In an initial briefing on Thursday morning, Rivera said minor cracks were found at the City Hall and other buildings but they remain generally safe.
The cracks were found at the stairs of the City Hall building and the City Agriculture Office’s training center, which is undergoing retrofitting.
Dr. Agripino Dacera Jr., head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the assessment and inspections also covered private buildings, such as hospitals, private and public schools, roads, bridges, shopping malls, and other commercial establishments.
Part of the ceiling of the SM Mall here and the KCC Mall Veranza collapsed during the quake but both establishments reopened by noon Thursday.
Meanwhile, Rivera said the fire at the Gaisano Mall here was extinguished for the second time at about 10:20 p.m. Thursday, four hours after it reignited.
Firefighters initially declared “fire out” at the establishment at about 1 p.m., more than 16 hours after it broke out.
The fire started following a strong aftershock at about 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Rivera said the Bureau of Fire Protection is conducting an overhaul to ensure that no embers remain at the area.
He clarified that the smoke emanating from the mall as of Friday morning was due to the clearing operations.
“This is to ensure that fire and other potential hazards are already cleared out. There are no threatening situations (so far) that should cause public concern,” he told reporters.
Rivera reminded residents to be vigilant and responsible in sending and posting unverified information on various media platforms to avoid causing unnecessary panic. (PNA)
