PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 19, 2013) – After 37 years, the local government of Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, looked back to the devastating tsunami that killed 1,440 people in August 17, 1976.
Mayor Romeo Pulmones and Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu, along with Rep. Victor Yu unveiled a commemorative marker and written on it was the number of casualties in the whole province of Zamboanga del Sur – 1,440 dead and 7,701 injured; and 909 people missing. The tsunami left 49,848 villagers homeless.
Pulmones personally related the incident as he and his family were among those who survived the destruction left behind by the tsunami. He was only 10 years old when the tsunami occurred. Many of his neighbors perished.
He said it was exactly 12:11 a.m. when a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 in the Richter scale struck off the Moro Gulf and it was followed by the tsunami.
The commemoration was held to remember those who perished in the tsunami. Local officials and villagers offered prayers and lighted candles, and some offered flowers outside their houses to remember the tsunami victims.
Disaster officials also held a seminar and attended by students and civilians. (Ely Dumaboc)
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