Cebu execs prompted to suspend work, classes: M7.4 quake jolts Davao

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — A powerful tectonic earthquake shook the Philippines yesterday (Oct. 10) morning, sending tremors from Luzon to Mindanao and prompting tsunami warnings and emergency responses across multiple regions.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the magnitude-7.4 quake at 9:43 a.m., with its epicenter located 62 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental.

The quake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers and is now considered one of the strongest ever recorded in the country.

Interestingly, while the Davao quake struck in the morning, a separate and deadly tremor in Bogo City, Cebu occurred at 9:59 p.m. on September 30—ten days earlier. It was a magnitude-6.9 quake, traced to the Bogo Bay Fault, that caused widespread destruction across northern Cebu and triggered over 10,000 aftershocks, many of which continue to this month.

Yesterday, the strongest shaking was felt in Mindanao, surpassing even the magnitude of the Bogo quake, but instrumental readings confirmed Intensity IV in Cebu City as well as in Talisay City.

Mandaue City, Toledo City, and several municipalities here, including Alcoy, Argao, Carcar, and Tuburan were at Intensity III. Bogo City, which previously experienced stronger tremors, registered only Intensity II this time.

Other towns such as Barili, Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, and Sogod reported Intensity II, while Danao City, Lapulapu City, and the towns of Alegria, Carmen, Catmon, Consolacion, and Daanbantayan felt the quake at Intensity I.

PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami warning shortly after the Davao quake, urging the immediate evacuation of coastal communities in Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar.

The Tandag Sea Level Monitoring Station recorded a 30-centimeter wave at 10:20 a.m. By early afternoon, PHIVOLCS lifted the warning, stating that the threat had passed and no further tsunami bulletins would be issued.

Earthquake have also been recorded throughout the day in Batanes; Bangui, Ilocos Norte; Batangas; Surigao; Socorro, Oriental Mindoro; Camarines Sur; Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental; Zamboanga; Lianga, Surigao del Sur; Dinapigue, Isabela; Wao, Lanao del Sur; Danglas, Abra; Sabtang, Batanes; and Saranggani Island.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed that all airports under its jurisdiction remain operational. Minor cracks were observed at Dipolog Airport’s logistics building (Zamboanga del Norte), but no major damage was reported.

Two flights bound for Davao City—GAP2813 and CEB963—were diverted to Mactan-Cebu and General Santos City airports, respectively, as a precaution.

CAAP assured the public that it continues to closely monitor airport operations and is conducting inspections to ensure structural integrity and passenger safety.

PHIVOLCS continues to monitor aftershocks and advises the public to remain vigilant. Residents are urged to secure heavy objects, review evacuation plans, and stay updated through official channels.

Cebu Province reaction

As the tremors were also felt across Cebu Province, Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro was prompted to suspend classes and government work as a precautionary measure.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) immediately went on alert as reports of shaking came from several local government units (LGUs) across the island.

The Capitol also carried out an evacuation of employees and guests after a noticeable tremor was felt in the compound.

Classes were suspended in several towns and cities in Cebu, spanning all seven districts. Many LGUs announced the suspension of classes at all levels, while others extended the suspension until further notice pending safety inspections.

In the 1st District, Sibonga, Minglanilla, Carcar City, Talisay City, Naga City, and San Fernando suspended classes in all levels. In the 2nd District, Argao, Santander, Dalaguete, Samboan, and Boljoon also implemented the same precautionary measure.

Barili, Tuburan, and Aloguinsan in the 3rd District ordered class suspensions, with Tuburan declaring the measure effective until further notice.
In the 4th District, Bogo City, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Bantayan, and Medellin all suspended classes indefinitely.

For the 5th District, the municipalities of Poro, Compostela, Carmen, Sogod, Catmon, Borbon, Liloan, and Danao City suspended classes. Danao City also declared a half-day work suspension for all government offices.

In the 6th District, Consolacion and Cordova suspended classes in all levels, while in the 7th District, Alegria, Alcantara, Dumanjug, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Ronda, and Ginatilan made similar announcements.

Baricuatro expressed worries and solidarity with the people of Davao Oriental, writing in her post, “Davao, Cebu is with you.”

Cebu City reaction

Yesterday (Friday), when Cebu City felt Intensity 4 from the mag-7.4 quake in Davao Oriental, the city government enforced primary safety protocols, including the evacuation of buildings and premises.

Cebu City Hall was not spared, as Mayor Nestor Archival led employees outside the building. Teams from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), headed by Councilor Dave Tumulak, immediately swept through the edifice to assess its structural integrity.

Despite this, Archival opted to suspend all City Hall operations for the day and close its doors to the public as a preventive measure against any unforeseen disaster.

“Si mayor naniguro lang nga luwas pud atong nga empleyado kay we know nga if naa gani linog naa gyud na’y aftershocks … para pagpa-minus sa kabalaka,” said Tumulak.

Tumulak said the city councilors themselves will spearhead the monitoring of each barangay and assess the extent of any damage, in case another earthquake strikes the city.

“Para mapadali ang impormasyon nga atong makuha kay usa sa atong problema nga na-encounter tungod ani’ng sunod-sunod nga linog, ang communication,” said Tumulak.

The councilor said this move also ensures that the disaster teams in each barangay are properly supervised through the city councilors. Based on their initial assessment yesterday, the barangays did not sustain any major damage following the latest quake, he said.

Currently, Tumulak said they have already recommended that each barangay implement disaster preparedness measures starting from every household and family. This is necessary to ensure proper response during disasters and to prevent further accidents.

“To counter the trauma, kinahanglan og training, self, and sa mga pamilya diri sa atong dakbayan,” said Tumulak.

Mandaue City reaction

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano has announced the suspension of face-to-face classes in all levels for one week starting Monday, October 13, to give students and families time to recover from recent earthquake episodes and to ensure public safety.

During the suspension, all public schools in the city will shift to asynchronous learning through the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM). Private schools have likewise been advised to adopt similar arrangements.

Mayor Ouano said the City Government is coordinating closely with the DepEd Mandaue City Division to mobilize manpower for psychosocial therapy programs in schools to help students and teachers cope with the emotional impact of the quakes.

“Nakita ug nadungog namo inyong mga concern, mga Mandauehanon. Rest assured that the City Government is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions,” Ouano said on his social media page.

The announcement came after more than 70 students across Mandaue City were given medical assistance following the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental yesterday morning.

According to the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Buddy Ybañez, at least 47 students from Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School–Main Campus were affected.

Seven experienced difficulty breathing, 20 felt dizzy, 11 hyperventilated, and five suffered panic attacks. Twelve were taken to the Mandaue City Hospital, while one student lost consciousness.

At the school’s annex campus, 13 students were also assisted—four complained of dizziness and nine experienced hyperventilation. Two were brought to the hospital, while 11 others were treated on-site.

At Subangdaku Technical Vocational School, eight students were attended to—six had difficulty breathing and two lost consciousness, though all were later cleared for discharge. One student from Cabancalan National High School also received assistance after hyperventilating.

CDRRMO personnel Tash Villaflor told The Freeman that their team continues to monitor schools across the city to ensure the safety and well-being of all students following the quake.

In a separate incident, at least two female Grade 6 students from Mandaue City Central School were rushed to the hospital after experiencing hysteria and difficulty breathing during the tremor.

Clinic teacher Jennyvieve Ledama said around five students initially showed similar symptoms, but others were calmed down and given first aid.

The two, however, were brought to the hospital after becoming weak and nearly fainting. She added that their parents said both students have a history of anxiety-related attacks.

All other students in the school were confirmed safe, with most fetched by their parents. The school’s Medical Emergency Response Team remained on standby to provide immediate care and assistance.

Mayor Ouano himself was not exempt from the quake’s impact. Right after attending an event, he and other city hall employees evacuated the building when tremors from the 7.6-magnitude quake were felt.

Ouano later announced that only a skeletal workforce would be on duty at the city hall yesterday. “After the quake this morning, October 10, we immediately declared no classes in all levels—both public and private,” he said.

He said a skeletal force, or a limited number of personnel were retained at the City Hall to ensure essential transactions to continue, such as those handled by the City Treasurer’s Office.

Departments providing critical services, such as the CDRRMO, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), and City Health Office (CHO), remained on full duty.

After the quake, Ouano ordered the MCDRRMO, Office of the Building Official (OBO), and City Engineering Office to re-inspect the 48 public schools, particularly the 16 schools previously sustained partial damage by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30.

Aside from the city’s 48 public schools, the mayor also directed engineers to reassess the public market after its canopy collapsed and three columns were found cracked. “Mao na siya ang initial nga gipangbuhat karon,” Ouano said.

The city government continues to assess the structural safety of school buildings and other public facilities following the series of tremors that have recently affected parts of northern Cebu.