Man from Digos City dies after powerful Mindanao earthquake
DIGOS CITY — A 58-year-old man died here after bringing his family to an evacuation center following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rocked parts of Mindanao on Monday morning.
Lt. Col. Norman Yparaguirre, Digos City police chief, led the retrieval of the still-unidentified victim from his residence and brought him to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Sinawilan Barangay Captain Bobby Palmero said authorities believe the man either suffered a stroke or was electrocuted, as a live wire was found dangling inside the house.
Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas immediately convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and activated response teams and volunteers to inspect possible damage to vital infrastructure across the city.
READ: Magnitude 7.8 earthquake leaves 32 dead, 12 missing in Mindanao
READ: DepEd: Magnitude 7.8 quake affects over 3.2 million students
Authorities advised residents in coastal villages to proceed to designated evacuation areas following the tsunami alert issued by Phivolcs.
Cagas ordered the suspension of classes and work in government offices after the strong tremor.
He noted that residents have learned to be more resilient to earthquakes following the four major earthquakes in 2019 that toppled some of the city’s older structures.
“This only proves that our constant earthquake simulation exercises have paid off. Even grade schoolers already knew what to do in case such a disaster occurred while they were inside school premises,” the mayor said.
“Our interschool disaster risk reduction teams managed the incident very well, which resulted in the safety of students in different schools within Digos City,” he added.
As of 5 p.m., Cagas lifted the work suspension in both the public and private sectors. The suspension of classes remained in effect as of press time.
Basil John Sevilla, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said only a few buildings sustained minor damage that did not compromise their structural integrity.
Authorities said a lone semi-concrete house in Barangay Aplaya collapsed due to the earthquake. /mcm
HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.
In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.
Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.
The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.
