OVER 700 aftershocks have been recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) since the magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck southern Mindanao on Sunday, with the strongest so far at 5.3 at 4:18 a.m. on Wednesday. The epicenter was still in Padada, Davao del Sur. However, the biggest reported damage from yesterday’s tremor was the General Santos City Water District’s (GSCWD) main water line along the national highway to Leon Lido Street. Intensity 4 was felt in the city. Several villages have been affected with low or no water supply, but Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera assured that GSCWD personnel immediately started repair work and will “possibly be finished” by 5 a.m. Thursday. The national disaster management office’s update on the Dec. 15 tremor as of 6 a.m. on Dec. 18 show damage covering 128 public schools, 19 health facilities, and 41 other public structures. The death toll has also gone up to nine while injured were at 111, but the agency said the casualty count is still being validated.

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