With most residents still reeling from the effects of about forty or more quakes that hit Davao del Sur and Cotabato in a span of just 14 hours, the city council of Digos decided to declare their city under a State of Calamity.

Vice mayor Johari Bana presided a council whose own members suffered from the devastating 6.6 magnitude quake which hit the city last Tuesday.  The council decided to present a recommendation to the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to immediately place the city under a state of calamity.

The twin quakes, the first one which happened last October 16 registered 6.3 magnitude while the last one was much stronger. Mayor Josef Cagas says the people of Digos needs help.

The city’s disaster action officer estimates structural damages at 259 million pesos.

As of prestige, malls and department stores are still closed after authorities asked owners not to open without first checking the integrity of their buildings. Students had been advised to stay at home, after a school, the Car Jesu College, was deemed unsafe and was recommended for demolition.

Several buildings bore cracks in their walls, with some on the verge of collapse after their beams and columns gave way during Tuesday’s quake.