DUMAGUIN, RALPH G.

(Clash of CEANS)
PREPOSI, FREDERICK R. (Clash of CEANS)

10 Deadliest Earthquakes in the Philippines

1. MORO GULF EARTHQUAKE (AUGUST 17, 1976)

a. Date and place: Eleven minutes past midnight of august 17, 1976, Moro Gulf
Mindanao.
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 8.1
c. Epicenter: 06.3 ° n, 124.0 °e in the Celebes sea between the islands of
Mindanao and Borneo.
d. No. of Deaths: 8,000 people were officially counted as dead or missing, 10,000
injured and 90,000 left homeless.
e. No. Of estimated cost of damaged structures: $3.1 billion and about 127,000
houses were destroyed.
Additional Information:
Called by PHIVOLCS the “largest tsunamigenic earthquake to have occurred in
Mindanao in the last two decades,” and "the midnight killer" because, it attacked when
people are in deep sleep and killed about 8,000 people, including those missing and
were never found.
Institutions, organizations, or departments at work:
I. DATA RECEIVING CENTER (DRC)
➢ to ascertain earthquake parameters including magnitude, depth of focus, and
epicenter, data is transmitted to the PHIVOLCS data receiving center (drc). once
these facts are established, earthquake information is made public along with
any locally reported felt intensity levels.

II. NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

(NDRRMC)
➢ the disastrous incident caused the Philippine government, then led by president
Ferdinand Marcos Sr., to establish the National Disaster Coordinating Council,
currently known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council, in 1978.

III. INCIDENT COMMAN SYSTEM

➢ during operations, the complex inter-agency structures of numerous agencies
are integrated through the incident command system.
 2. LUZON EARTHQUAKE (1990)
a. Date and Place: 4:26 pm, July 16, 1990 in Northern and Central Luzon.
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 7.8
c. Epicenter: Nueva Ecija
d. No. of Deaths: 2,412 lives were lost during that day.
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: 10-billion pesos worth of
damages to public and private properties.
Additional Information:

This earthquake devastated across a sizeable portion of Luzon with Baguio City
suffered the most devastating effects. A number of structures collapsed within the city
burying many people alive. Apart from the Nevada hotel, other establishments
destroyed included the Hyatt terraces plaza, the Baguio Hilltop hotel, Baguio park
hotel, and FRB hotel. It is estimated that as many as 1,000 people were trapped and
killed in damaged buildings within Baguio City that day.

Institutions, organizations, or departments at work:

I. THE INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY DENR AND
II. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST)
➢ the inter-agency committee chaired by DENR and Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) was tasked to undertake a unified, systematic and scientific
documentation of information on earthquakes, particularly the July 16 killer
quake for future planning and research.
III. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR)
➢ DENR launched rapid rehabilitation work. programs for the victims' livelihoods
and the restoration of harmed watersheds were put in place.

3. NEGROS OCCIDENTAL EARTHQUAKE (2012)

a. Date and Place: 11:49 am on February 6, 2012, Negros, Cebu and nearby
Islands of Western Visayas Region
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 6.9
c. Epicenter: Tayasan, Negros Oriental
d. No. of Deaths: A total of 51 dead and 112 injured while 62 were missing
from the landslide in Solongon, La Libertad and Planas, Guihulngan
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: PHP 383,059,000.00.
Additional Information:

Negros and Cebu Island are located in seismically active area in the Philippines.
Earthquake generates such as Negros and Sulu Trench, Segments of the Philippine
Fault in Masbate and Leyte islands and active faults in Negros and Cebu islands may
generate earthquake that could affect the area.
Institutions, organizations, or departments at work:
I. NDRRMC
➢ reported the situational effect of the 6.9 earthquake where they ensure the
implementation of disaster risk reduction and management activities as per the
national strategic framework and national plan.

II. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR)

➢ quick response team (QRT) was deployed to negros. the qrt’s primary purpose
was to evaluate the extent of damages due to the earthquakes in the province of
negros especially those municipalities located near the epicenter.

III. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR)

➢ energy development corporation (EDC) poured in an additional p500,000
worth of relief goods to the quake-hit families in the towns of Tayasan,
Jimalalud and Guihulngan City.

4. MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE (2002)

a. Date and Place: 5:15 am, on March 6, 2002 at Sultan Kudarat
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 6.8
c. Epicenter: 1N; 124.0E; 81KM or about 81KM SW of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
d. No. of Deaths: 8 dead and 41 injured
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: 4.175 million pesos or about
80,000 US dollars
Additional Information:
The Palimbang earthquake in Sultan Kudarat is the most recent destructive
earthquake to have hit Mindanao and affected 7,684 families in the provinces of
Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and South Cotabato.
Institutions, organizations or departments at work:

I. DOST- PHILVOLCS, ZAMBOANGA CITY

➢ disseminated earthquake bulletins and closely monitored the situation for
significant development.

II. OCD 9 OPCEN

➢ coordinated with PHIVOLCS, Zamboanga City in quires on the status and
effects of the earthquake and continuously monitoring the situation in the
area. PDRRMC xii: coordinated with the local DRRMCS to conduct rapid
dana for submission of report to OPCEN central office.
 III. OCB BASULTA
➢ coordinated with LGUS to undertake precautionary measures in their
respective aor. no IDPS and damage properties reported

5. BOHOL EARTHQUAKE (2013)

a. Date and Place: 8:12 am, October 15, 2013 in Tacloban City
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 7.2
c. Epicenter: Bohol
d. No. of Deaths: 222 people died, 8 went missing and 976 injured
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: 2.2 billion pesos
Additional Information:

This was the deadliest earthquake to hit the country since 1990 at the time. In total,
the catastrophe affected over 3 million Filipinos. Over 79,000 structures including
homes, roads, churches, schools and public buildings were damaged, of which 14,500
were totally destroyed, resulting in over 340,000 displaced people.
Institutions, organizations, and departments at work:
I. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
➢ placed the affected region into code red alert status.

II. REGIONAL CONSULAR OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN

AFFAIRS IN CEBU
➢ suspended its operations in order to inspect for damage at its offices.

III. THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

➢ coordinated with local governments and provincial disaster management
units for updates on the situation and for damage assessments.

6. MINDORO EARTHQUAKE (1994)

a. Date and Place: 3:15 PST, November 15 near Mindoro, Philippines
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 7.1
c. Epicenter: 11 KM N 22 °W of Baco, Mindoro, near Verde Island
d. No. of Deaths: 78
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: P5.15 million
Additional Information:
In addition, the 1994 event generated a tsunami which accounted for majority of the
casualties and wrought significant damage on the northern shoreline communities of
Mindoro. Without this tsunami, total casualty would have been only 29 instead of 78.
Institutions, organizations, or departments at work:
I. DISASTER RESPONSE MACHINERY OF MINDORO PROVINCE
➢ under the leadership of governor Rodolfo G. Valencia, response and recovery
were prompt, minimizing the toll and losses.

II. NATIONAL DISASTER COORDINATING COUNCIL (NDCC)

➢ were quick and efficient in extending assistance to the affected local
government units.

III. THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

➢ was organized and launched in May 1994, which aims to promote awareness of
and preparedness for geologic hazards.

7. LANAO EARTHQUAKE (1955)

a. Date and Place: 2:18 in the morning, April 1, 1955 in Mindanao and
Southern Visayas
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 7.5
c. Epicenter: 7 ° 55 ' N 124 ° 5 ' E
d. No. of Deaths: 400 died, 898 injured, 2,997 houses destroyed, 14,985
families affected
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damage Structures: 5 million dollars
Additional Information:

Central Mindanao, including Lanao Del Sur, is one of the seismically active areas in
the country because of the presence of the western extension of the Mindanao fault
(Cotabato-Sindangan fault), an active fault that runs from Sarangani province to
northwest of Zamboanga Peninsula.
Institutions, organizations, or departments at work:
I. PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY
➢ warns instructions to expedite aid to the afflicted districts.

II. RECONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY (RRA),

➢ to assess the requirements in each of the affected areas, Magsaysay established
the relief and reconstruction authority (RRA), which was chaired by Manuel P
Manahan and included officials from every government agency.
 III. PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY
➢ he president issued a proclamation establishing a state of public
calamity in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Occidental, Lanao,
and Surigao, as well as in the cities of Cagayan De Oro, Ozamis,
Iligan, and Dansalan.

8. LUZON EARTHQUAKE (1983)

a. Date and Place: 8:18 pm, August 17, 1983 in Ilocos Norte
b. Magnitude: 6.5
c. Epicenter: 18. 231 N latitude 120.860 E longitude or approximately 30
aerial kilometers east-northeast to Laoag City
d. No. of Deaths: 16 people died and 47 were injured
e. No. of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: 50 Million pesos
Additional Information:

It was the most powerful earthquake to strike the Philippines in seven years. Shaking
lasted 20 seconds and damaged seven towns extensively, its greatest damage
occurring near Pasuquin, Laoag, Sarrat, and Batac in the Ilocos Norte province.

Institutions, organizations, or departments at work:

I. PHIVOLCS
➢ gave a level three tsunami alert in the Philippines and other
institutes.

II. THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER

➢ rapidly issued tsunami warnings in the pacific together with its
adjacent islands. however, it was lifted after two hours as no tsunami
was recorded.

III. JAPAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY AND HONG KONG OBSERVATORY

➢ issued tsunami warnings throughout the coastal areas of the country.
the Hong Kong observatory also issued a tsunami warning on Hong
Kong at that same time.

9. SAMAR EARTHQUAKE (2012)

a. Date and Place: 8:47 pm, August 31, 2012, 139 km east of the city of
Sulangan, Eastern Samar.
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 7.6
c. Epicenter: 18.231 nlatitude 120.860 elongitude or 30 aerial km east-
northeast of Laoag City.
 d. No. of Deaths: 1 person was dead in Cagayan De Oro due to landslide and
10 were injured (6 in Leyte, 3 in Samar and 1 in CDO)
e. No of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: PHP133,658,500.00
Additional Information:
As a result of the earthquake, 2 bridges in Eastern Samar namely: Buyayawan bridge
in Mercedes, Eastern Samar, and the Brgy. Casuroy bridge in San Julian, Eastern
Samar were partially damaged and the Abreeza mall of Bajada, Davao City suffered
minor cracks on its floor.

Institutions, organizations od departments at work:

I. NDRRMC OPERATIONS CENTER
➢ maintained its "blue alert" status to continuously monitor and
disseminate earthquake and tsunami advisories to OCDRCS

II. DOST-PHIVOLC
➢ continuously provided the NDRRMC OPCEN with information
concerning the development of the earthquake particularly the series
of aftershocks.

III. DSWD FOS II AND CARAGA

➢ alerted the SWAD teams of different provinces to monitor the
situation and coordinate with the LGU'S and PHIVOLCS office in
Surigao City.

10. RAGAY GULF EARTHQUAKE (1973)

a. Date and Place: Ragay Gulf, Bicol on March 17, 1973
b. Magnitude: Magnitude 7.0
c. Epicenter: 13.40 North Latitude; 122.8 East Longitude
d. No of Deaths: 15 died
e. No of Estimated Cost of Damaged Structures: $2 million
Additional Information:
The 1973 Ragay Gulf earthquake produced an onshore surface rupture approximately
30 km in length along the Guinayangan segment of the Philippine fault in southern
Luzon island. Through geologic mapping and paleoseismic trenching, we have
characterized the number of coseismic offsets, the average recurrence interval, and the
slip rate of the segment.
Institutions, organizations or departments at work:
I. DOST-PHIVOLCS
➢ continuously provided the NDRRMC OPCEN with information
concerning the development of the earthquake particularly the series
of aftershocks.

II. DPWH CARAGA

➢ mobilized its preparedness team and prepositioned it in strategic
locations.

III. DOH COORDINATED WITH OCD REGION VIII

➢ coordinated for the report of human casualties and health
infrastructure damaged.

5 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO DO DURING EARTHQUAKES

1. STAY CALM! IF YOU'RE INDOORS, STAY INSIDE. IF YOU'RE OUTSIDE,
STAY OUTSIDE.

2. IF YOU'RE INDOORS, STAND AGAINST A WALL NEAR THE CENTER OF

THE BUILDING, STAND IN A DOORWAY, OR CRAWL UNDER HEAVY
FURNITURE (A DESK OR TABLE). STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND
OUTSIDE DOORS.
3. IF YOU'RE OUTDOORS, STAY IN THE OPEN AWAY FROM POWER LINES
OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT FALL. STAY AWAY FROM BUILDINGS (STUFF
MIGHT FALL OFF THE BUILDING OR THE BUILDING COULD FALL ON
YOU).
4. DON'T USE MATCHES, CANDLES, OR ANY FLAME. BROKEN GAS LINES
AND FIRE DON'T MIX.
5. IF YOU'RE IN A CAR, STOP THE CAR AND STAY INSIDE THE CAR UNTIL
THE EARTHQUAKE STOPS.

References:
https://faq.ph/top-10-strongest-earthquakes-to-hit-the-philippines/
https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-hits/remembering-the-1990-
luzon-earthquake-that-wreaked-havoc-in-the-philippines/
https://www.scribd.com/document/508469269/Earthquake-Risk-Assessment-A-
Case-Study-of-1983-Laoag-Earthquake
https://gulfnews.com/special-reports/deadliest-earthquakes-in-the-philippines-what-
you-need-to-know-1.1612705914449