By Shiela Mae Butlig,
and Edwin Iyo
Correspondent
CLASSES were suspended Friday, October 10, in Cagayan de Oro and several towns in Misamis Oriental after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Davao Oriental, shaking much of Mindanao.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the tremor was felt at Intensity IV in Cagayan de Oro and Intensity V in parts of Misamis Oriental.
The quake, which occurred at 9:44 am, lasted for about three minutes.
Residents and employees along Yacapin and Velez Streets in downtown Cagayan de Oro rushed out of buildings to safety as the ground shook.
City Mayor Rolando Uy ordered the suspension of classes in all public and private schools following the recommendation of Cagayan de Oro Schools Division Superintendent Roy Angelo Gazo, allowing authorities to inspect school facilities for possible damage. The advisory was posted by Acting City Information Officer Jade Adecer.
In Misamis Oriental, the municipalities of Lagonglong, Gitagum, Balingoan, Opol, Tagoloan, and Salay also suspended classes by midday due to the stronger tremor.
The PDRRMO said assessments were ongoing at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital and bridges across affected towns to check for structural damage.
In Gingoog City, Mayor Erick G. Cañosa promptly issued Executive Order No. 65, suspending classes in all levels of both public and private schools.
He directed the City Engineer’s Office, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection to inspect schools, high-rise buildings, and other facilities for safety.
“For everyone’s safety, we are suspending classes in all levels,” Mayor Cañosa said in a statement.
A power outage also occurred during the quake, affecting Magsaysay, Gingoog, and Medina. As of press time, teams from the Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Service Cooperative II were still locating the affected power line.
Reports also confirmed that classes were suspended in Talisayan and Medina, Misamis Oriental, as precautionary measures.
