Classes cancelled as more quakes jolt North Cotabato

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Authorities cancelled classes for preschool, elementary and high school students in Carmen, North Cotabato yesterday after a series of aftershocks were felt in the area.

The aftershocks followed a magnitude 5.7 earthquake jolted the province and some parts of Central Mindanao Saturday night.

At least 136 aftershocks had been recorded as of yesterday afternoon, with the strongest registered at 5.7 magnitude.

The magnitude 5.7, 4 and 4.5 quakes were recorded at 4:08 a.m., 07:31 a.m. and 1:27 p.m., respectively, seven kilometers away from Carmen town, the worst-hit area.

More than a dozen people, mostly children, were injured when boulders and soil loosened by the earthquake cascaded down to their houses in two barangays.

Education officials in the province said schools in Carmen would remain closed until further notice.

North Cotabatao Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said they had to suspend classes as it was unsafe for students to go to school.

“We have to first check whether the schools are safe for the children. We need to check the extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes in every school,” Mendoza said.

Close to 200 houses were reported damaged by the series of earthquakes.

Officials initially placed the cost of damage at P63 million. The tremor also weakened the foundations of two bridges that connect Carmen to other towns, they said.

Mendoza said a landslide triggered by the earthquake rendered the Sayre highway impassable.

Several school buildings and infrastructure were also damaged by the earthquake.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake’s epicenter was located more than 10 kilometers away from the town’s center.

Two barangay halls and several classrooms in Barangays Kimadzil and Kibudtungan were reported damaged.– With Helen Flores