AN OVERPASS in Matina Crossing was temporarily closed as additional cracks were found on the structure following a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Magsaysay Davao del Sur, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
The CDRRMO and the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) are assessing buildings and other structures to ensure the safety of their continued use following Monday’s earthquake.
CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran, during the Madayaw Davao program aired over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday, said the CEO would assess the overpass to ensure its structural integrity.
“Na-coordinate na pud nato na sa City Engineer’s kay naa man sa ilaha ang mga technical people para maka-determine kung safe pa ba gamiton ang maong structure (We have coordinated this with the City Engineer’s because they have technical people who can determine if the structure is still safe for public use),” he said.
Baloran added that emergency responders from his office were deployed for inspection immediately after the tremor.
Police personnel were also tapped to make the rounds within their areas of responsibility to check for distressed people and spot any damage caused by the earthquake.
He said there were no reported cases of people getting injured.
Landslide-prone areas will also be thoroughly inspected by the CDRRMO, as the rainy weather experienced over the past weeks has only increased the risk in foothills and mountainsides.
The CDRRMO chief reminded Dabawenyos to be on guard in times of natural calamities like the earthquake felt on Monday.
He also urged everyone to report any cracks found in office buildings, schools, bridges, houses, and other structures to the authorities.
“Kung aduna silay makita na hairlines, maski hairline lang na cracks, magpahibalo gyud sila para ma-coordinate dayon nato sa City Engineer’s ang ilahang mga buildings (If they find hairlines, even hairline cracks, they have to report so we can coordinate the inspection of their buildings with the City Engineer’s),” Baloran said.
