BARMM civil servants resume work after Mindanao tremor
MACACUA (FB)
COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has ordered the resumption of government work in the region after structural experts declared all office buildings safe after Monday’s Mindanao-wide tremor.
“All BARMM employees are also reminded to always remain vigilant and cautious,” he said in a statement addressed to all BARMM employees on Tuesday.
On Monday morning, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the Socsksargen region but affected two major provinces in BARMM – Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte – including its capital, Cotabato City.
An Intensity V earthquake was felt in the city and the two provinces.
Following this, Macacua directed all concerned agencies to temporarily suspend office operations to allow for the immediate assessment of building safety and to ensure the welfare of all employees and the public.
On Monday night, Macacua said he received a briefing from the region’s Ministry of Public Works (MPW) that all structures inside the Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC) are intact and safe for occupancy, which led to his back-to-work order.
“I likewise advise all personnel working at the BGC and other government offices to remain alert for possible aftershocks and strictly observe established safety protocols. For offices located outside the BGC, please follow the advisories issued by your respective local government units,” he added.
Aside from the two Maguindanao provinces, the BARMM covers the provinces of Lanao del Sur, the Special Geographic Area in Cotabato province, and the island-provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.
“In times like these, it is important that we remain calm, vigilant, and prepared to respond to any potential danger as we continue to closely monitor the situation,” Macacua said. (PNA)