Fresh tremor stokes fear among quake evacuees in Kidapawan

KIDAPAWAN CITY –– “Lord spare our children and elderly from harm.”

This was the cry of an evacuee at the Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary School Wednesday afternoon as she scampered for safety along with family members when a magnitude 3 tremor rocked the city anew.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the quake was tectonic in origin and struck 11 kilometers east of Makilala, Cotabato at 1:21 p.m.

The tremor was felt at Intensity 3 in Kidapawan.

Phivolcs said damage and aftershocks were not expected from the recent temblor.

Many of the evacuees staying in tents inside the school were screaming as they ran for safety.

Employees of the local government, which have just moved into City Hall last Monday, quickly lined to go out of the building and assembled at a nearby safe area.

“We were swinging for a few seconds,” said Chayla Baldos, an administrative employee at City Hall.

Some portions of City Hall are undergoing rehab and retrofitting work, based on the recommendation of structural engineers, so these can be fit for occupancy.

The over 50-year old structure sustained various damage due to the series of tremors last October./lzb