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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pregnant mom dead in Surigao del Sur earthquake

Pregnant mom dead in Surigao del Sur earthquake

Published Dec 3, 2023 06:54 am
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Local officials of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Caraga (Region 13) conduct an assessment on the damage left by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Dec. 2, 2023.  (Photo: OCD Caraga)

A pregnant mother from Davao del Norte died after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on Saturday night, Dec. 2.

In a press conference Sunday, Dec. 3, Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the earthquake killed one person and injured four others.

"There is one dead. Unfortunately, she was a pregnant lady," Teodoro said. 

Accordingly, the unnamed victim was pinned to death when the walls of her house in Tagum City collapsed amid the shaking. Authorities were confirming the status of the unborn child as of this writing.

The quake also affected 529 families composed of 2,647 persons.

Teodoro said the displaced residents already returned home following the lifting of a tsunami warning.

Teodoro said two bridges were also damaged due to the quake while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that all national roads in Caraga (Region 13) and other affected regions were already passable to all types of vehicles.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was placed on "blue alert" status in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Under a blue alert, 50 percent of the workforce of the NDRRMC shall be on standby and ready to respond to any contingency.

Asst. Sec. Hernando Caraig Jr., Office of Civil Defense (OCD) deputy administrator for operations, released a memorandum order directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) to detail duty officers at the NDRRM Operations Center (NDRRMOC) and assist in response operations.

"All NDRRMC member-agencies and RDRRMCs [regional DRRMCs] are required to continue monitoring their respective AORs [areas of responsibility] and send updates to the NDRRMOC through the NDRMMC Monitoring Dashboard," the memorandum read.

Meanwhile, the OCD regional office in Davao Region (Region 11) and Caraga, where Surigao del Sur is located, were placed on red alert as they closely monitor developments in their respective AORs.

"OCD-Caraga's personnel are continuously conducting video teleconferences with local government units and response clusters to ensure streamlined coordination. Additionally, the OCD is coordinating with the NDRRMC and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to obtain the latest updates," OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.

The Philippine Port Authority (PPA) said no major damage was recorded in all ports under the Port Management Office (PMO) of Surigao but there was a minor crack spotted at the Lawigan Port in Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Employees at the Terminal Management Office in Tandag, Surigao del Sur were also evacuated in time when the quake happened.

The quake struck at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, with its epicenter located at 42 km. northeast of Hinatuan. The quake was initially measured at magnitude 6.9.

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