By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – The provincial government of Sarangani has suspended government work and classes at all levels in public and private schools following a series of earthquakes that struck parts of Mindanao on Wednesday.
In an advisory, the provincial government said the suspension is intended to allow post-earthquake safety inspections and damage assessments to ensure the safety of workers, learners, staff, and the public.
Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao said that personnel involved in emergency response, medical services, law enforcement, public safety, and disaster management are exempt from the suspension.
At 7:43 a.m., a magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The tremor occurred 21 kilometers north of Balut Island at a depth of 18 kilometers.
The following were the recorded intensities:
Intensity IV – Sarangani, Davao Occidental; Alabel, Sarangani
Intensity III- Malapatan and Malungon, Sarangani; General Santos; Tupi, South Cotabato
Intensity II- Santo Niño, South Cotabato; Jose Abad Santos, Don Marcelino, and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Maitum, and Maasim, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Intensity I – City of Digos and Matanao, Davao del Sur; City of Koronadal and Surallah, South Cotabato
