FORTUN (FB)
BUTUAN CITY – People here fled for their lives as a magnitude-six earthquake rocked the Caraga region on Friday morning, Oct. 17.
Employees on their way to work stopped and sought cover when the tremor struck at 7 a.m.
Authorities suspended face-face classes here and Surigao City.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) in Siargao, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, and Butuan City were mobilized.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake was tectonic in origin, triggered by the movement of an active fault in the area. Damage and aftershocks are possible.
Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Fortun mobilized the DRMMC to check residents and infrastructure.
“Yes, I personally ordered our personnel and rescue teams to go around the city to look into the situation our constituents," he said.
"Everyone is encouraged to make self-assessments of their buildings after the earthquake this morning, and if you see any disasters, please contact Operation Center at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department," Fortun added.
Fortun said that the Department of Education has the discretion to implement granular suspension of classes depending on the specific assessment of the current conditions such as trauma to students and personnel and structural safety concerns.
A three-day inspection of schools will be conducted to determine their structural integrity.
No casualties were reported as of posting time.