Resilience amidst Catastrophe

collaborative efforts, forsecure one’s life

In the midst of Buildings swayed on Tuesday morning as a powerful
earthquake rattled the same areas in Mindanao rocked by a strong tremor two weeks
earlier, killing at least seven people, cracking concrete walls, and sending patients out
of hospitals, and office workers and students running into the streets and open spaces
in panic.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the 6.6-
magnitude quake struck around 9:04 a.m. about 25 kilometers southeast of Tulunan
town in Cotabato province.
Imeldians hurriedly rushed out of their classrooms and sought safety in open spaces after a
powerful tectonic earthquake struck at intensity 6 in Davao City, struck near Tulunan, Cotabato for the
second time in two weeks

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit Cotabato on Tuesday, October 29, killing at least 6 and
injuring around 50 people, and causing damage to infrastructure in various areas in
Mindanao.This Tuesday, the school epereince 3 tremors .The epicentre of the earthquake came
from Cotabato with 6.6 magnitude. The nearby places experiences tremors from light
to moderate.

Further the CDRRMO taught students and teachers the “Duck, Cover and Hold
positions” before proceeding to the designated areas. Moreover, they also demonstrate
what to do during rescue operations of those people who got injured after the incident.
Selected teachers and students played as victims to be rescued by the team.

“I had been equipped the students about the earthquake drill. I’m glad to see that
they were able to apply what they already learned. They remained calm instead of being
hysterical,” said Mr. Dario Ponte, School’s Disaster Management Coordinator.

In order for every Tagumenyo to be wth their families and be safe in the light of
these erthquakes, I suspended all class levels both public and private,” declared Allan
L. Rellon, mayor of Tagum City. The suspension is effective on October 29 to 30, 2019.
Further the local government continues to assess, and inspect all government
infrastructures.

“The school can still hold on to minor quakes but it will not last longer especially
when the “Big One” comes,” according to Mr. Rey Francis L. Dulog from Provincial
Engineering’s Office. Dulog with his colleagues inspected the condition of the school
building. They found minor cracks along the school premise. The results will be further
assessed by the province for some provisions.
 After the occurrence of earthquake, Mr. Romeo P. Dano, school principal was
bothered of the safety of the students. He wanted to ensure the school buildings are still
resilien, able to withhold any surge of disasters. He still in connection with PEO and City
Disater Risk Management (CDRRMC) for more updates and concerns.

Is this is a sign of the coming of “The Big One?” Probably. Ready or not
earthquakes are inevitable. No one knows when and where it would happen. This costs
a lot- life, livelihood, properties and infrastructures. It will come like a thief. After it
passes by, it leaves us nothing. The school continually raised awareness, drills and
interventions among students and teachers. Despite the risks, preparedness is the only
way we can stand against any natural disasters.