DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 15 December) — The city governments of Davao, General Santos, Koronadal and Kidapawan have declared a suspension of classes on Monday following the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake that jolted parts of Mindanao at 2:11 p.m. on Sunday, the fifth major quake to hit the island since October 16.
In Proclamation 13, Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte directed all establishments and organizations to ensure the structural integrity of the buildings.
He said buildings that suffered structural damages would be immediately condemned.
The quake registered Intensity 5 in Davao City.
In General Santos City, Mayor Ronnel Rivera also suspended classes in private and public schools in all levels on Monday until further notice to give way to inspections.
In Koronadal City, Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena also suspended classes in all levels in both private and public schools But work in both public and private offices is not suspended.
Ogena called on the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Engineer’s Offcie and city building officials to an emergency meeting to immediately conduct an inspection of buildings and to submit a report within 24 hours.
The quake registered Intensity 6 in General Santos, Koronadal and Kidapawan City.
In Kidapawan City, Mayor Joseph Evangelista suspended clases in all schools as well as work in City Hall on Monday. The quake registered Intensity 6 in Kidapawan.
The intensities recorded by Phivolcs were 7 in Matanao and Magsaysay towns in Davao del Sur; 6 in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato; General Santos and Koronadal cities in South Cotabato; Bansalan in Davao del Sur; and Alabel and Malapatan in Sarangani.
The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in the cities of Davao and Cotabato; Tulunan and Matalam in North Cotabato; and Glan in Sarangani; Intensity 3 in Kalilangan, Talakag and Dangcagan in Bukidnon; Intensity 2 in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog; and Intensity 1 in Zamboanga del Sur. (Antonio L. Colina IV, Bong Sarmiento and Malu Cadelina-Manar / MindaNews)
