The Eva’s Hotel and Commercial building that was heavily damaged and subsequently closed after a series of earthquakes struck Mindanao on Oct. 16, 29, and 31, 2019. (file photo)
A 4.5 magnitude quake rocked North Cotabato and nearby areas Thursday morning, prompting local authorities to immediately suspend classes in some areas of the province.
The quake struck at 09:03 AM with a depth of 2 kilometers it was located 14 km north of Makilala . The quake was tectonic in origin and no aftershocks are expected.
Intensity V was recorded at Kidapawan City; Tulunan, Cotabato and Intensity III – Bansalan and Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur
Here are the instrumental intensities and the location where it was felt.
Intensity IV – Kidapawan City
Intensity III – Malungon, Sarangani
Intensity II – Koranadal City; Tupi, South Cotabato
Intensity I – Alabel, Sarangani; Davao City
Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista suspended classes in all levels as well as all office transactions in government offices.
Atty. Pao Evangelista, city information officer, said all classes and government transactions will resume until “further notice”.
The municipal government of Makilala also cancelled all classes in elementary and high schools. However, it left public and private establishments in the town to cancel their operations at their own discretion.
Students at the Kidapawan National High School (KNHS) quickly abandoned their classrooms and converged at their campus open ground in panic during the earthquake, local radio stations report.
The school is a few meters away from the Eva’s Hotel and Commercial building that was heavily damaged and subsequently closed after a series of earthquakes struck Mindanao on Oct. 16, 29, and 31, 2019.
Last year’s series of three major quakes destroyed several structures and displaced thousands of residents leaving 20 fatalities, according to official records from the provincial government. (Rommel F. Lopez)