The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said that more than 2,900 families were affected by the magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Davao de Oro last March 7.
OCD Joint Information Center head Diego Agustin Mariano said in a public briefing around 60 residents were injured while over 1,800 families moved to evacuation centers.
“Sa ngayon po meron na po tayong P42 million mahigit na worth of cause of damage dulot po ng lindol po. Sa ngayon po meron tayong walong kalsada hindi pa po passable, lahat po ay nasa Davao de Oro,” said Mariano.
Mariano added that Davao de Oro also experienced a power interruption after the quake but it was restored shortly.
He added that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has given around P6.243 million worth of assistance consisting of family food packs, tents, and sleeping kits for the affected residents.
The OCD also advised the public to participate in the first quarter national simultaneous earthquake drill on Thursday.
“Lalo na ngayong araw ginaganap ang national simultaneous earthquake drill nawa’y makibahagi tayo dito ng seryoso lalo na po yung pagconduct ng duck, cover, and hold kahit napakasimpleng protocol eh itong duck, cover, and hold makakaligtas po sa atin, makakaminimize ng injuries, at makakabawas sa casualties,” Mariano said.
“Kaya kahit paulit ulit nating ginagawa ito po ay para magkaroon tayo ng muscle memory na kahit tumama yung the ‘Big One,’ kahit tayo ay mataranta at matakot alam po natin ang gagawin dahil sa paulit-ulit na pagsasagawa ng earthquake drill tayo ay makakaligtas o makakaiwas sa sakunang dulot ng lindol po,” he added.
— Ronald Espartinez