The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Friday urged residents across the Davao Region to seek psychological first aid and prepare emergency go bags following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Manay, Davao Oriental.

“We urge those affected by the earthquake to seek psychological first aid to help alleviate anxiety and fear, especially for children who may be more vulnerable,” the OVP said in a statement.

It also reminded residents to keep emergency go bags ready and accessible in anticipation of possible aftershocks.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), aftershocks in Manay have ranged from magnitude 1.4 to 5.8 as of this writing.

The OVP, meanwhile, assured that its Southern Mindanao satellite office is closely monitoring the situation on the ground.

“We are currently on standby to assist any local government unit (LGU) in providing relief to evacuees, should the need arise,” it said. (PNA)