Quake-hit N. Cotabato town placed under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines – A North Cotabato town has been placed under state of calamity after it was hit by two earthquakes that left damages to many homes and public infrastructures.

The Office of Civil Defense in Region 12 said the emergency declaration for Carmen town last Monday will expedite use of its calamity funds.

On Saturday night, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake rattled Carmen, while on Monday morning, the same town was hit by another quake also with the same magnitude. Tremors were felt in several parts of Mindanao.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Tuesday afternoon has so far recorded 190 aftershocks following the Carmen earthquakes.

In the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 141 families were affected by the earthquakes. Seven were reported injured, with six of which from Kibudtungan village and one from Kimadzel village in Carmen town.

There were also 141 houses damaged, and four school buildings that were partially damaged. Three churches were also damaged.

The NDRRMC report also said that two national bridges were damaged by the quake. Road cracks were also observed.