12 Pagadian coastal barangays suspend classes after tsunami warning

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Classes in several coastal barangays of Pagadian City were suspended on Monday following the issuance of Tsunami Information No. 1 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The advisory was issued after a magnitude 7.8 offshore earthquake struck near Sarangani at 7:37 a.m.

READ: Magnitude 7.8 quake rocks Mindanao, topples buildings, disrupts classes

Phivolcs warned coastal communities in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland as a precaution against possible tsunami threats.

In Pagadian City, Acting Mayor Lance Samuel Co ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools across 12 coastal barangays: Poloyagan, Bomba, Lumbia, San Pedro, Napolan, Dumagoc, Kawit, Tawagan Sur, White Beach, Santiago, Sta. Lucia and Muricay.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) urged residents to remain alert, observe precautionary measures, and closely monitor official advisories from the city government, Phivolcs, and other concerned agencies.

Authorities said classes will only resume once Phivolcs, through the CDRRMO, declares that the tsunami threat has been lifted and conditions are safe.

Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency Region 9 Acting Regional Director Jocelyn Alvarez said that classes and government work were also suspended in Basilan province and Zamboanga City. Boat operations in both areas were likewise halted as a precaution./coa