The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has been placed on full red alert following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani on Monday morning, with initial reports indicating collapsed buildings and bridges in several affected regions.
OCD administrator Harold Cabreros said the quake, which occurred past 7:30 a.m., affected Regions 9, 11, 12 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but was also felt in other parts of Mindanao and even in the Visayas.
Cabreros said authorities are still gathering and validating details on the reported damage to determine the immediate response needed in affected communities.
At the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Cabreros said the NDRRMC, together with the Office of Civil Defense, Department of National Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education, is heading to affected areas to assess the damage and support immediate response operations.
He said the NDRRMC, its regional offices, and the operations centers of local disaster risk reduction and management offices are now under full red alert.
The government has also established the National Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell to coordinate response efforts in quake-hit areas.
Cabreros urged the public to remain alert due to continuing aftershocks and to avoid high-rise buildings and other structures that may have been weakened by the quake.
He also reminded residents, especially those in coastal communities, to follow official advisories and warnings amid the possible tsunami threat.
“Asahan nyo po, ang ating mga ahensya ng pamahalan ay re-responde at magbibigay ng tulong at mula sa national hanggang sa local,” Cabreros said.
He also asked the public to monitor progress reports and official updates from government agencies.