The provincial government of Surigao del Sur has declared a state of calamity in the province "due to effects of the magnitude 7.4 offshore earthquake" last Saturday, Dec. 2.
The declaration was enclosed in Resolution No. 1410-23 series of 2023, which was passed in a special session on Tuesday, Dec. 5 as led by Surigao del Sur vice governor Manuel Alameda Sr.
Under Resolution No. 1410-23, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan cited that the state of calamity declaration was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
Citing information from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRMC), the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said the strong earthquake has affected at least 15% of the province's population and at least 30 percent of livelihood in agricultural, business, and industrial sectors.
"Be it resolved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Surigao del Sur to declare the entire province of Surigao del Sur under the State of Calamity due to the effects of the magnitude 7.4 offshore earthquake that struck the province on December 2, 2023, and the subsequent and recurring tremors and big aftershocks," it added.
Based on NDRRMC's latest situational report on Wednesday, Dec. 6, three individuals died while 48 others were injured in the earthquake.
Two of the three deaths reportedly came from Surigao del Sur province — one in Bislig City and one in Barobo City.
