50 families in N. Cotabato village told to leave homes due to aftershocks

CARMEN, North Cotabato – At least 50 families in Barangay (village) Kimadzil in this town were ordered to leave their homes as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology declared the area a danger zone, following last week’s 5.7-magnitude earthquake.

The North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council had issued the order in a bid to save lives and properties following the series of aftershocks since June 1 in the province, which has been declared under a state of calamity.

The forced evacuation was carried out last Friday and completed Sunday.

The families, valuables and work animals in tow, are temporarily housed at the Barangay Hall compound, where they are provided food by the local government.

A two-hectare lot is being prepared by the local government unit of Carmen as relocation site of the families, whose former community lies in the so called Carmen-Bukidnon fault line.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, meanwhile, continued its relief operations to families whose houses were damaged by the earthquake.

Conchita, one of the residents of Kimadzil, said life is difficult now.

“We are afraid the earthquake may strike anew. We are afraid to attend to our cornfields as aftershocks occur every now and then,” she said, adding that many families no longer have homes to return to.

The PDRRMC reported 141 houses were damaged due to the tremor.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza has directed all concerned government agencies to attend to the affected families.

The Department of Agriculture has been providing agriculture assistance to the displaced families.

Engr. Hermes Daquipa, head of the Phivolcs’ North Cotabato station, said they have recorded 346 aftershocks since June 1. The latest aftershock recorded was at 5:10 a.m. Monday.

According to Daquipa, aftershocks will continue to occur for at least a month after June 1.

Romelito Flores, acting schools division superintendent of North Cotabato, said classes went on smoothly Monday in about 98 percent of public schools in Carmen.

Classes in Kibudtungan and Kimadzil villages have yet to open as construction of temporary learning centers in front of shattered school buildings were still ongoing.

All school buildings in Kimadzil and Kibudtungan were declared unfit for occupancy, prompting the local government to set up temporary school structures.

Flores said that as soon as the temporary school buildings are completed in Kimadzil and Kibudtungan, classes will start immediately.