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BACKGROUND
Three major earthquakes hit North Cotabato on 16, 29 and 31 October 2019, at 6.3, 6.6 and 6.5 magnitudes, respectively.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reports that aftershocks are expected over the coming days and weeks. Intensity VII was felt in Kidapawan City,
Tulunan, M’lang and Makilala in North Cotabato; Magsaysay and Digos City in Davao del Sur. Many communities in these areas were cut-off due to landslides and otherwise damaged roads, and responders are slowly gaining access to them.
As of the latest Department of Social Welfare and Development DROMIC report, 49,681 families or 248,408 persons are affected and 34,373 houses have either been totally destroyed or partially damaged. The most affected buildings are government structures, including schools, hospitals, barangay halls, gyms, etc., due to their large sizes, which critically disrupts provision of essential services.
There are 10,224 families or 49,901 persons taking shelter in 42 evacuation centers and 8,659 families or 43,295 persons temporarily staying with relatives nearby. The vast majority however have pitched tents and makeshift shelters just outside their houses for fear of being trapped or crushed inside these possibly compromised structures, especially should the ground shake again. Aftershocks continue to be felt.