President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas, activate emergency communication lines, and coordinate closely with local governments following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental and nearby provinces.
“Search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe to do so,” Marcos said in a statement on Friday, Oct. 10.
He added that authorities are “now assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring that everyone is safe.”
The President also noted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is pre-positioning food and non-food items, while the Department of Health (DOH) stands ready to provide emergency medical assistance.
He urged residents in affected regions to stay alert and move to higher ground, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a tsunami warning for several coastal provinces in Mindanao.
“To our kababayans in the affected regions, please stay alert and calm. Move to higher ground and stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe. Follow all instructions from your local disaster councils and barangay officials. Your safety is our top priority,” he said.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it. Let us continue to look out for one another and pray for the safety of all our countrymen,” he added.
A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. with a magnitude of 7.4, which was initially reported as magnitude 7.6 before Phivolcs revised it to 7.5 then 7.4.
A tsunami warning has been issued for several coastal provinces in Mindanao and the Visayas, including Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar. (Betheena Unite)
