Philippines: Earthquakes - Oct 2019
Past disaster
EQ-2019-000140-PHL
Appeals and Response Plans
An earthquake of 6.4 M at a depth of 14 km occurred in North Cotabato province (Mindanao island, southern Philippines) on 16 October at 11.37 UTC. The epicentre was approximately 30 km north-west of Koronadal City (Cotabato province), and 7 km east-northeast of Columbio Town (Sultan Kudarat Province). Two aftershocks of magnitude 5.3 M and 4.9 M were recorded, USGS PAGER estimates that up to 121,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and up to 2,150,000 to strong shaking. Media report 4 deaths and more than 60 people injured in Tulunan, North Cotabato, and in Magsaysay and Digos in Davao del Sur. In addition, 29 buildings, including houses, schools and hospitals, have been damaged. (ECHO, 17 Oct 2019)
The number of fatalities has increased to 5 and 89 people are injured. According to the national authorities, as of 18 October, 202 people have been displaced, 3,068 affected and at least 337 houses damaged. 497 aftershocks have been recorded and several landslides were triggered by the main seismic event, causing damage to houses and infrastructure. (ECHO, 18 Oct 2019)
As of 25 October 2019. 5:00 AM, a total of 838 aftershocks were recorded, of which, 447 were plotted and 53 were felt, ranging from magnitude 1.4 to 5.5 and Intensity of | to VII. (Govt. Philippines, 25 Oct 2019)
An earthquake of 6.6 M, at a depth of 15 km, struck Cotabato Province (Mindanao Island) on 29 October at 1.04 UTC, approximately 17 km east of Tulunan (Cotabato Province) and 19 km west-northwest of Bansalan (Davao del Sur Province). Two aftershocks of magnitude 5.8 M and 5.0 M were also recorded. Up to 494,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and 2,379,000 to strong shaking. (ECHO, 29 Oct 2019)
Initial government reports indicated that one person died from falling debris. 66 injured people were admitted to hospital for treatment. (Govt. of the Philippines, 29 Oct 2019)
On 29 October, at 9:04 a.m. Philippine time, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck in Tulunan, Cotabato in Mindanao, just two weeks after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in the same area, causing seven deaths and 215 injured. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the 6.6 magnitude earthquake was tectonic in origin with a depth of 7 km and was felt in Cotabato and neighboring municipalities and provinces of five regions of Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Small to strong magnitude earthquakes followed, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports of 270 aftershocks. Initial assessments by NDRRMC report Kidapawan, M'lang and Tulunan in North Cotabato, and Digos and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur in the Mindanao are among the hardest hit areas. The earthquake affected over 16,400 people. Some 4,400 people are staying in evacuation centres in Kidapawan, North Cotabato and Digos, Davao del Sur, while nearly 4,900 people are with host families in M'lang, Tulunan. NDRRMC, is reporting five deaths and nearly 400 injured. (OCHA, 30 Oct 2019)
On 31 October at 9:11 a.m. local time another 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck close to Tulunan. Tectonic in origin, the earthquake was felt strongly in North Cotabato, Kidapawan City, Davao del Sur and surrounding municipalities, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The earthquake on 29 October caused 8 deaths, some due to collapsed walls and falling debris, and nearly 400 have been injured. The number of casualties and damages is expected to rise as the local authorities continue to conduct assessments. Affected communities, displaced in evacuation centres, with host families or camping outdoors in makeshift tents are afraid to go indoors for fear of being injured. According to [NDRRMC], over 25,600 people are affected (previous report 16,400 people) in 59 barangays in Regions XI and XII, of which almost 12,800 (previous report 4,400 people) are in 19 evacuation centres, while over 6,700 (previous report 4,900 people) are staying with host families. (OCHA, 31 Oct 2019)
As of 2 November 2019, the Philippines Government had provided over ₱6,000,000 worth of assistance to over 145,000 people from 149 barangays in response to the earthquakes around Mindanao. To date, some 20,635 people are currently staying in 27 evacuation centers set up by LGUs. It has been reported that approximately 6,850 persons are with their relatives or friends. The government has recorded over 20,000 totally, and almost 6,400 partially, damaged houses. (Govt. of the Philippines, 2 November 2019)
As of 4 November, [NDRRMC] reports of 22 deaths and over 420 injured as a result of a series of earthquakes that occurred between 16 and 31 October. Over 21,000 homes are destroyed and 7,200 partially damaged, mostly in the municipalities of Makilala and Tulunan in North Cotabato. More than 870 schools are reported damaged, which are frequently used as evacuation centres and has also hampered education of over 3,4 million of learners. More than 70 health facilities and 80 other public structures are also damaged, as well as over 25 bridges and roads in Region XI and XII. Over 188,000 people are affected in some 240 barangays in Region XI and XII. Some 24,000 people are staying in evacuation centres, while nearly 7,500 are staying with host families. The municipality of Makilala has been hit the hardest, with over 100,000 people affected, most of whom are currently staying in makeshift shelters. (OCHA, 4 Nov 2019)
As of 7 November, there have been 21 deaths, 417 injured and 2 missing peoples as a result of the series of earthquakes which hit North Cotabato and Davao del Sur provinces. Affected population stands at 254,400 people. (OCHA, 07 Nov 2019)
As of 9 November, the death toll has risen to 23, with 535 people injured and 2 still missing as a result of the series of earthquakes which hit North Cotabato and Davao del Sur provinces. More than 264,000 have been affected in total. (OCHA, 9 Nov 2019)
11 November saw makeshift tents in Makilala, North Cotabato evacuation centers destroyed by strong winds and heavy rain, prompting local authorities to relocate families to other temporary shelters. As of 12 November, more than 109,000 people are displaced with half staying in evacuations camps, while others are staying with host families. Over 36,000 houses and nearly 1,400 schools are damaged. It is estimated that many families will be displaced for at least one year, as a result of damages to structures in the area. To date, the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed food and relief items to affected families worth PhP39 million ($765,000). (OCHA, 12 Nov 2019)
As of 14 November, more than 262,000 people affected are in need of assitance...More than 48,000 people are currently staying in evacuation centres, and around 59,000 are staying with host families. The municipality of Makilala in North Cotabato has been hit the hardest, with around 100,000 people affected, of which many are currently staying in makeshift shelters or open grounds. As of 14 November, over 23,000 homes are destroyed and 15,000 partially damaged, mostly in the municipalities of Makilala and Tulunan in North Cotabato. (OCHA, 15 Nov 2019)
As of 18 November, over 324,000 people had been affected by the earthquakes in Tulunan, North Cotobato, and needed assistance. Over 560 injuries had been recorded, as well as 24 deaths. 70 evacuation centers were established to support an IDP population of 45,800. Over 23,300 houses were destroyed as result of the earthquakes, while over 38,700 were significantly damaged. (OCHA, 18 Nov 2019)
An earthquake of 5.9 M at a depth of 13 km hit Bukidnon Province (Mindanao Island) on 18 November at 21:22 local time. The epicentre was approximately 2 km northwest of Kadingilan Municipality in Bukidnon Province, northern Mindanao. This is the fifth strong earthquake that hit Mindanao between October and November. Up to 193,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and up to 585,000 to strong shaking. According to media reports, 4 people have been injured and 80 families evacuated. Several buildings have been damaged and classes were suspended in schools throughout the cities of Cotabato, Maramag, Quezon and Valencia. (ECHO, 18 Nov 2019)
As of 27 November, [NDRRMC] reports more than 319,000 people affected in Regions XI and XII. Out of this, a total of 56,648 people are staying in 105 evacuation centres (ECs) while 126,104 people are served outside ECs. More than 41,200 houses in Region XI, XII and BARMM were reported damaged. Government authorities continue to validate and verify reported damage to infrastructure. (OCHA, 27 Nov 2019)
By 29 November, 349,000 people were in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the recent earthquakes in the Philippines. 56,700 people were staying in evacuation centers, while 125,600 were taking shelter outside of the evacuation centers. 23 deaths had been recorded, in addition to 563 injured. 11 people are still missing in the aftermath of the earthquakes. 47,500 houses suffered significant damage due to the quakes. (OCHA, 29 Nov 2019)
As of 4 December, more than 349,000 people affected by the earthquakes remain in need of assistance. The most severely affected provinces are Davao del Sur and North Cotabato. The earthquakes triggered substantial displacements as a result of destroyed, damaged or unsafe homes. More than 58,300 people are currently staying in 103 evacuation centres, and around 130,900 are staying in informal settlements or with host families. The municipality of Makilala in North Cotabato has been hit the hardest, with over 100,000 people affected, many of whom are currently staying in makeshift shelters or open grounds. Over 25,800 homes were destroyed and 21,700 partially damaged, of which 72 per cent are in North Cotabato province including the municipalities of Makilala and Tulunan. (OCHA, 04 Dec 2019)
As of 29 December, the authorities reported a total of 352,938 persons were affected by the earthquake incident in 379 barangays in Regions XI and XII. There are 43,334 persons taking temporary shelter in 71 evacuation centers, and 117,379 persons staying with their relatives and/or friends, or in open spaces. There are 47,476 damaged houses. (Govt. of the Philippines, 29 Dec 2019)
As of 4 March, approximately 156,000 people are still displaced, of which 39,359 people are staying in 67 evacuation centers in Regions XI and XII. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported a total of 355,983 people were affected by the earthquake incident in 379 barangays in Regions XI and XII. (Govt. of the Philippines, 4 Mar 2020)
Six months after a series of earthquake struck several municipalities, more than 277,000 people remain displaced in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. According to evacuation centres managers, 47 per cent of these displace people are not able to observe physical distancing inside shelters due lack of space. There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in evacuation centres yet, but many displaced people do not report symptoms for fear of being isolated. Food security and livelihoods are heavily affected by movement restrictions as displaced people working as farmers have difficulties transporting and selling their produce on local markets, while labourers and construction workers who rely on public transportation are currently unable to go to work (OCHA, 12 May 2020).
As of 11 June, at least 143,000 people were still displaced. 48 evacuation centers in Regions XI and XII remained open to serve at least 26,000 people , while over 116,000 people were staying with their relatives. (Govt. of the Philipplines, 11 Jun 2020).
As of 11 June, 2,877 families (14,385 individuals) have taken temporary shelter in 18 evacuation centers, while 11,881 families (59,405 individuals) are currently staying with their relatives and/or friends. There are 29,703damaged houses, of which 8,873 are totally damaged and 20,830 are partially damaged. A total of 46,761 families (233,805 individuals) were affected by the earthquake incident in 211 barangays in Regions XII. (UNHCR, 17 Jul 2020)
As of 4 August, at least 78,000 people are still displaced due to the earthquake incident. There are 20,784 people taking shelter in in 42 evacuation centers in Regions XI and XII, while 57,974 people currently staying with their relatives and/or friends, or in open spaces. (Govt. of the Philippines, 4 Aug 2020)
Philippines Humanitarian Country Team - Tulunan, North Cotabato Earthquakes Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (November 2019 - May 2020)
HCT Philippines
OCHA
Philippines: Mindanao Earthquakes Revised Emergency appeal n° MDRPH036
View all Philippines: Earthquakes - Oct 2019 Appeals and Response Plans
Philippines: Mindanao Displacement Dashboard, November 2021 - Issue No. 87
Protection Cluster
Philippines: Mindanao Displacement Dashboard, October 2021 - Issue No. 86
Philippines: Mindanao Displacement Dashboard, September 2021 - Issue No. 85
View all Philippines: Earthquakes - Oct 2019 Updates
Philippines: Mindanao Humanitarian Situation as of 27 September 2021
Philippines: Mindanao Humanitarian Situation as of 21 August 2020
Philippines: Mindanao Humanitarian Situation as of 22 May 2020
View all Philippines: Earthquakes - Oct 2019 Maps and Infographics
Philippines COVID-19 Humanitarian Response Plan (August 2020 Revision)
Philippines: COVID-19 Response Plan (03 April 2020)
The October 2019 Series of Earthquakes in Cotabato and Vicinity
PHIVOLCS
Philippines: Cotabato, Mindanao Earthquakes - Information bulletin
Typhoon Rai - Dec 2021
Severe Tropical Storm Kompasu - Oct 2021