Work, classes suspended in Kidapawan City due to aftershocks

KIDAPAWAN CITY—Mayor Joseph Evangelista suspended both work and classes in this city Wednesday due to the series of aftershocks that continue to be felt here following the main 6.6-magnitude tremor on Tuesday in nearby Tulunan, Cotabato.

The class suspension covered all levels in both public and private schools.

The suspension of work is also for public and private offices, including banks, effective Wednesday “until they can submit proof of the integrity of their establishments.”

In the public market, only a few stalls resumed business.

“Though we will be experiencing economic losses because of this decision, but I cannot afford to sacrifice the safety of our constituents,” Evangelista explained.

In nearby M’lang, Cotabato, Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol said almost all stalls in the town’s public market remained close since Tuesday afternoon.

Telephone connectivity through one telecom network was poor after the powerhouse of its tower in the town burned minutes after Tuesday morning’s tremor.

“We will check again the structural integrity of all establishments in M’lang before we give the go signal to resume business in our area,” Piñol said.

In Carmen, Cotabato, relatives have confirmed the death of Pao Zailon, a 70-year old woman who suffered cardiac arrest as the quake struck in the middle of a mother’s class inside a mosque in Sitio Pantaden, Barangay Kibayao. With Taher Solaiman /je