The municipality of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, declared a state of calamity on Friday, following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the town.

The declaration is based on the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by Mayor Arthur Davin due to the severity and extent of damages and casualties caused by the tremor.

Municipal information officer Anthony Allada said about PHP200 million in damages were noted based on the assessment made by the Municipal Engineer’s Office.

The municipal hall has total damage of PHP25 million while that of school buildings reached PHP66 million. About PHP91 million cost of damages on houses were noted and about PHP18 million from other structures.

Allada also added that a total of 2,021 houses were damaged, 395 of which were totally damaged while 1144 partially damaged and 482 were slightly damaged.

A total of 255 families or 910 individuals have been evacuated. Three persons were among the fatalities while 43 were injured during the tremor.

Allada identified the fatalities as Christine Roda, 5; Argen Abundo, 22; and her nine-month-old son Jay.

He said Roda was in their kitchen when their sink collapsed hit her on the head at the time of the quake.

Allada said the victim was transported to Gonzales Hospital in Digos City where she was declared dead on arrival.

Abundo, on the other hand, is from a remote and mountainous area in Barangay Malawanit in Magsaysay town.

Allada disclosed that Abundo and the other four family members were buried in a landslide which occurred shortly after the earthquake.

Her husband, Joyjoy Lakay, and their two kids were rescued and brought immediately to the National Hospital in Digos City.

Allada said bodies of Abundo and her baby were the last to be retrieved from the debris.

“The mother was cuddling her baby when found by the rescue team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Davin said after a thorough inspection of the building of the Municipal Hall by structural engineers, it was found out that the building is structurally sound and has retained its integrity.

“By Monday, there will be a clearing operation on the 1st level of the building so that employees occupying the offices can now go back to work,” Davin said.

However, he said the 2nd floor remains to be subject to rehabilitation and is still not allowed for occupation.

“Those occupants there will be temporarily holding office at the Municipal Function Hall,” he added. (PNA)