by Joaquin Yulo

It was an ordinary Saturday evening in the South of Mindanao. It was past 10 in the evening, so some were on their way home, others were already sound asleep, and some remained wide-awake in the bustling nightlife of Surigao del Sur. Thirty minutes later, each individual was on their way to the evacuation center, some still in their pajamas, others even in their work attire. There was one common denominator amongst all of them—their confusion. As buildings shook, people were in shock, and the sound of rumbling, louder than thunder, pierced through the panicked cries of the people.

What happened?

Numerous parts of Mindanao including Surigao del Sur, Davao, and cities in the South of Mindanao were affected by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake at its epicenter. Local authorities also found that the epicenter of the quake was nearest to the municipality of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur, causing residential areas to sustain light to moderate damage and power lines to be cut. Additionally, Davao recorded a magnitude 5 earthquake, damaging several establishments, structures, and roads. 

Earthquakes occur as a result of sudden slips along fault lines. Typically, these slips occur along convergent boundaries or reverse faults, wherein two tectonic plates move toward each other and collide, or along transform boundaries or strike-slip faults wherein two plates slide past each other, first building up friction, then suddenly releasing all the energy into an earthquake. So far, no sources have determined from which fault the earthquake originated from, but it is speculated to have occurred due to the slipping of the Philippine plate, a minor tectonic plate located east of the Philippines.

Aftershocks and Aftereffects

In the aftermath of the chaos, local authorities were still on their toes. While numerous citizens were given the green light to go home at midnight, a large number of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) workers kept watch for a possible tsunami, given the high magnitude of the quake. Even so, over the course of a few hours, the ground would not stop shaking in what almost seemed like an eternity. For the restless, sleepless cities of Surigao del Sur and Davao, volleys of aftershocks followed, wave after wave, continuously putting out power lines and diminishing the hopes of each citizen after. 

It wasn’t just a restless night for Filipino authorities, however. In the southern prefecture of Okinawa, Japan, numerous authorities also kept a close eye on the situation, especially due to the high possibility of a tsunami hitting the island, despite its 1,200 mile distance from Mindanao. 

Thankfully, little to no waves affected coastal areas of Mindanao and Okinawa. No tsunamis were recorded, and coastal areas, albeit being slightly affected, were only evacuated for precaution. 

Survival Guide  – Before, During and After Earthquakes

Seismic events, such as earthquakes, can happen anywhere at any time, whether authorities and civilians have been able to prepare beforehand or not. Despite the over 1000 kilometer distance between the ASHS and the affected parts of Mindanao, understanding the practical procedures during earthquakes may mean the difference between safety and harm. In the context of the ASHS, these procedures are implemented through the organization, Sandigan Kanlaon as well as the DRRR subject.

The first thing to do in order to prepare for an earthquake is to always have an Emergency Preparedness Kit, containing food, a bandana, water, medical supplies, an information kit and other essential survival supplies. It also helps to fix anything loose or broken within the house or establishment, so as to prevent injuries occurring from falling debris. 

Additionally, it helps to know the hotlines of important organizations like the National Emergency Hotline (911), Philippine Red Cross (143), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ((02) 8911-5061) and PAGASA ((02) 8284-0800).

During the earthquake, an important precautionary procedure is DCH — Duck, Cover and Hold. According to the ASHS’s Disaster Preparedness committee, it is important that during an earthquake, you find something hard, like a table, to cover your head with. Duck under it, take cover and hold your position until the shaking stops. If there is no table near you, the next best move would be to drop to the floor, press against the wall, and cover your head and nape with something hard or sturdy.

It’s also important to not immediately get out of cover once the shaking stops. It is important to first, assess your surroundings, then slowly and carefully make your way outside, using stairs when needed, using something like a book to cover your head and the back of your neck. Once you’re in an open area, you can contact the emergency services and your family to ensure that everyone is safe. Then, wait for announcements from local government authorities about evacuation, depending on the situation. One of the most important parts of the evacuation is to stay calm and keep cool under the pressure.

Finally, it’s important to apply first aid or call emergency services after the earthquake if needed. Some tips from Kanlaon mention to stay alert for aftershocks, keep away from debris and stay informed with the latest radio news. Last but not least, keep up with the latest updates from Red Cross, PAGASA or PHIVOLCS, as well as local government authorities for more information. During a disaster, the most important asset you can have is information, after all.

Through the efforts of both the civilians and authorities, the Mindanao earthquake left the island with minimal injuries and single-digit casualties. Despite the magnitude of this earthquake equaling the third-strongest recorded earthquake in Philippine history, the fortitude and resilience of Mindanao proves that even if the country has a long way to go in terms of Disaster Preparedness, it has made progress in mitigating the effects of these disasters. As most would say, “Malayo pa, pero malayo na.”