Magnitude 5.9 quake jolts Bukidnon; 4 hurt

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Bukidnon on Monday night, causing damage to several homes and buildings.

The temblor struck some eight kilometers northwest of Kadingilan town at about 9:22 p.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The quake was felt at Intensity 6, which is classified as very strong, in Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Don Carlos, Maramag, Kitaotao and San Fernando in Bukidnon, and Intensity 5 or strong in Damulog, Talakag and Valencia City, also in Bukidnon; Midsayap, Cotabato; Kidapawan City, and Marawi City.

It was felt at Intensity 4 or moderately strong in Impasugong and Malaybalay in Bukidnon; Malungon, Sarangani; Antipas, Cotabato; Rosario, Agusan del Sur; Cotabato City, Davao City, Koronadal City and Cagayan de Oro City.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Malitbog, Bukidnon; Tupi, South Cotabato; Manticao, Misamis Oriental; Tubod and Bacolod, Lanao del Norte; Alabel, Sarangani; Gingoog City, Pagadian City and Iligan City.

It was felt at Intensity 2 in Polomolok, Lake Sebu and Tampakan in South Cotabato; Kiamba, Sarangani; Mambajao, Camiguin; Sindangan and Polanco in Zamboanga del Norte; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, Dipolog City and General Santos City.

Four persons were injured in Kadingilan and brought to a hospital for treatment, Sheen Therese Romo, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council officer, reported.

One of the victims reportedly suffered head injury, two had “severe anxiety” and another fainted.

In Maramag, 80 residents of Barangay 1 evacuated their homes.

Patients at the Esther Hospital in Valencia City and Simbulan and Pahilan Hospitals were evacuated during the quake.

 Classes suspended

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi suspended classes in all levels in the city yesterday due to the quake. 

Maramag Mayor Joel Doromal also suspended classes to pave the way for the inspection of schoolbuildings.

Doromal said teachers were required to report for work to assist a team of inspectors.  

Classes were also suspended in Quezon, Kadilingan and Valencia.

Minimal damage

Apart from reported cracks in several houses and government buildings, including a health center, the quake resulted in minimal damage to infrastructure, according to Office of Civil Defense-Northern Mindanao director Rosauro Arnel Gonzales Jr.

“There is no collapsed structure, walang casualty, wala ring naapektuhang roads and bridges, although ang mga report na dumarating sa amin there were buildings lalo na schools, houses na nagkaroon ng mga cracks,” Gonzales said. 

He said local government officials are assessing the damage to other infrastructure facilities.

Aftershocks

At least 80 aftershocks due to the quake have been recorded. The strongest was a magnitude 3.8 which struck at about 9:56 p.m. on Monday.

State seismologists warned the public of more aftershocks, which could result in the collapse of damaged buildings.

Phivolcs said the tremor could be related to the powerful quakes that hit North Cotabato last month.

Meanwhile, quakes with magnitudes of 3.2 and 4.9 shook Davao City at around 2:09 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, yesterday.

The epicenter of the first quake was traced 16 kms northeast of Magpet, Cotabato. The second quake was centered nine kms northwest of Lupon, Davao Oriental. – With John Unson, Edith Regalado, Michael Punongbayan, Ben Serrano