Classes, work suspended as 5.3 earthquake rattles Davao Oro

Davao de Oro. INQUIRER FILES

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Local authorities in several towns in Davao de Oro province ordered the suspension of classes after the magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck New Bataan town before noon on Thursday.

Mayor Geraldford Balbin suspended classes in all schools as well as work in municipal offices in New Bataan after the 11:33 a.m. quake, according to municipal spokesperson Lynne Dollolasa.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in its update, upgraded the temblor’s strength from magnitude 5.1 and relocated its epicenter to four kilometers southwest of New Bataan.

It had a depth of 8 kms.

New Bataan and the nearby municipalities of Nabunturan, Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan experienced Intensity 5 shaking, while the cities of Tagum, in Davao del Norte; and Bislig in Surigao del Sur had Intensity 4.

READ: 5.1 magnitude earthquake rocks Davao de Oro

Dollolasa said numerous students complained of dizziness and were promptly sent home.

Intensity 3 was felt in the towns of Boston, Caraga, Cateel, and Manay in Davao Oriental, while Intensity 2 was experienced in the city of Mati, and the towns of Lupon and Banaybanay, also in Davao Oriental.

On the other hand, Intensity 1 was felt in the cities of Digos, Davao del Sur, and Cotabato; as well as in the towns of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; Tarragona, San Isidro and Governor Generoso, in Davao Oriental; and in the town of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur.

In the town of Monkayo, Mayor Manuel Zamora ordered the cancellation of classes in all schools there until Friday as disaster personnel assess possible damage to public structures.

READ: US vows aid to victims of Davao de Oro earthquake

The Philippines is in the Pacific Ring of Fire where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.

Last year, New Bataan was also struck by strong tremors, with the most powerful at magnitude 6.0, which caused significant damage and many injuries.