THE CITY Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) recorded no significant infrastructure damage, loss of life, or injury during the initial assessment following the intensity-three earthquake in Davao City on Wednesday evening.
CDRRMO head Alfredo Baloran, in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio on Thursday, Feb. 2, said that the risk assessment team and structural engineers from City Engineer’s Office conducted an assessment at the City Hall and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
“Wala ma’y major damage (There is no major damage, the buildings are suitable for occupancy),” he said.
However, around ten students, seven from Daniel R. Aguinaldo Elementary School and three from Holy Cross of Calinan, were reported to have fainted due to the quake. Baloran said that these students immediately regained consciousness and were fetched by their parents on Wednesday night.
He said that next for assessment are the minor hairline cracks reported at Jacinto Health Center and Mintal Elementary School, which temporarily suspended occupancy in one of its buildings that sustained a crack.
Matina Crossing overpass was also closed by the barangay after noticing additional cracks. The CEO already committed to prioritize the assessment for the overpass.
The CDRRMO chief said that despite these reports, he was thankful that the infrastructure damage reported was insignificant.
“So far, magpasalamat ta sa Ginoo kay wala gyud ta’y major infra damage, wala pud ta’y loss of life or injury due to the shaking (So far we are thankful to God since se we do not have major damage, and we also do not have a loss of life or injury due to the shaking),” he said.
As to disaster management in schools, Baloran said that those with four stories or more should ensure that the students were guided correctly at the onset of the quake, and teachers should remain calm because it may also lead to panic among students.
Baloran also said that the safety of students gathering near roads after the quake should also be considered. He said that re-orientation of teachers, especially the newly hired, on disaster risk reduction and management is a must.
However, the Department of Education has already institutionalized its disaster risk reduction and management measures.
“Gina-practice gyud sa DepEd during ground shaking nga dapat safe gyud ang estudyante (DepEd really practices that in the event of ground shaking the safety of the students are ensured),” he said.
Baloran advised Davaoeños to immediately report even hairline cracks they observe on their buildings.
“Kung naay mga ground-shaking, kagabii especially earthquake 6.1 epicenter, expect gyud ta nga naay mga aftershocks kung naay paglihok sa yuta, ground shaking. Dili lang gyud ta magpanic and always gyud tan-awon nato atong safety. After shaking, mugawas ta adto ta sa safe area before nato tan-awon pagbalik atong establishments, amping ta kanunay labi na sa panahon sa kalamidad (If there is ground shaking we must not panic and always check our safety.. after the shaking, we must go out to safe areas and then go back to check on our establishments. We should always take care in times of calamities),” Baloran said.
