STRONG earthquakes rocked Davao de Oro and other nearby areas Tuesday.
In a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Report, the first one hit the province and nearby areas at 2:02 pm with a magnitude of 5.9 and its epicenter was in Maragusan with a depth of 34 kilometers. The first report was that the magnitude was at 6.2.
At 4:47 pm, another earthquake struck the province; this time its magnitude was at 5.6 with a depth of 11 kilometers. Its epicenter was in New Bataan.
The provincial government earlier reported that the road between the two towns has not been passable since Monday when two major earthquakes resulted in its caving in.
In the first Tuesday earthquake those that felt it regarding reported intensities, were Intensity V in Nabunturan and Intensity IV in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. In instrumental intensities, It was Intensity V in Nabunturan, Intensity III in Davao City; Malungon, Sarangani; and Tupi, South Cotabato; Intensity II in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; Talakag and Malaybalay City in Bukidnon; Kidapawan City, Carmen and Banisilan in North Cotabato; Abuyog, Leyte; Alabel, Sarangani, Koronadal City, South Cotabato; and, Bislig City in Surigao del Sur; Intensity I in Kadingilan, Bukidnon; Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Baybay and Dulag in Leyte; Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental; Norala, Suralla, Tantangan, Banga and General Santos City in South Cotabato; Esperanza, Columbio, Isulan and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat; Surigao City in Surigao del Norte; and Tandag Surigao del Sur.
Nearly all areas identified in the first earthquake also felt the second earthquake.
Gov. Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga suspended again all classes in all levels of schools in the province, the second day the governor did the suspension, although nearly all the municipalities in the province have yet to declare the return to classes of their students.
On Monday although she suspended classes in the province, the governor still allowed the opening of the Bulawan Festival which will run until March 8, the 25th founding anniversary of the Province.
In the latest advisory of the provincial government Tuesday afternoon, it canceled all events related to the festival except for the Pontifical Mass and Foundation Day Program.
In Maragusan, the municipal government also evacuated the patients and personnel inside the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital-Maragusan.
In Kapalong, a town in nearby Davao del Norte, there was a report of children who were injured due to the earthquake, although the report could not be verified except that pictures were posted by several radio stations.
The local government units imp
