THE Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said Davao de Oro is now under a state of calamity due to extensive damage from the series of earthquakes that hit the province on March 7 and 8, 2023 with magnitudes 5.9 and 5.6, respectively.
“The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) recognized the need to fund and undertake critical, urgent and appropriate disaster risk reduction programs, projects and activities in order to alleviate the impacts caused by the earthquake affecting the province,” said the Resolution No. 0556-2023, which was released to the public on March 13, 2023.
In Davao de Oro, the series of earthquakes was felt mainly in the Municipality of Maco, Maragusan, Mawab, Nabunturan, and New Bataan, which is the epicenter, and some other parts of Davao Region including Davao del Norte and Davao City.
Initially, the province declared on March 8, the Municipality of New Bataan under a state of calamity followed by the Municipality of Maragusan on March 9.
A total of 1,516 aftershocks were recorded as of 2 a.m. on March 13, with strength ranging from magnitude 1.4 to 5.9.
In a recent report from the PDRRMO, the total cost of infrastructural damage is now pegged at P265 million. Infrastructural damage includes hospitals, roads, bridges, government facilities, school facilities, houses, utilities, and other assets.
“Many people are frightened and many run outdoors. Heavy objects and furniture moved. Very old or poorly built houses and structures are slightly damaged though well-built structures are not affected. Limited rockfalls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to mountainous areas,” the resolution reads.
Meanwhile, the province received total assistance of P17,566,147.22 from different organizations including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), and the Department of Health (DOH).
metrosundaily
