By Kenneth Marcos 
Early morning routines were disrupted for many bank clients in parts of Mindanao as safety measures took priority following an earthquake that prompted local governments to act quickly.
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) announced that its Cotabato City and Tacurong City branches are temporarily closed after their respective local government units ordered precautionary measures due to the recent earthquake. The closure is part of safety protocols to protect clients, employees, and nearby communities while inspections and assessments are carried out.
DBP said the temporary shutdown is meant to ensure that banking halls, office structures, and facilities are safe for public use before normal operations resume. Earthquake precautions often include building inspections, structural assessments, and coordination with local disaster risk reduction offices.
The state-owned bank assured the public that it is closely coordinating with local authorities and will reopen the affected branches once clearance is granted. In the meantime, clients are advised to plan their transactions accordingly and make use of other DBP branches that remain open.
To help customers avoid inconvenience, DBP encouraged clients to check its official website for the updated list of operational branches nationwide. The bank noted that alternative branches and digital banking options may be used while the Cotabato and Tacurong offices are temporarily unavailable.
DBP also reminded the public that it remains under the regulation of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which oversees the safety, stability, and consumer protection standards of banks in the country. This ensures that even during temporary closures, client rights and financial safeguards remain in place.
For clients who wish to raise concerns or provide feedback, DBP said its Customer Experience Management Department is available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Customers may reach the department through official communication channels provided by the bank. The BSP Financial Consumer Protection Department is also open to receive consumer concerns related to banking services.
For urgent matters such as lost ATM cards or other ATM-related issues, DBP advised clients to contact its 24-hour ATM hotlines. These hotlines are available to assist customers at any time, especially during emergencies when access to physical branches may be limited.
The bank emphasized that safety remains its top priority, especially in times of natural events such as earthquakes. Temporary closures, while inconvenient, are necessary steps to prevent further risk and ensure that facilities are secure before welcoming clients back.
Residents in affected areas are encouraged to stay alert, follow advisories from their local governments, and rely only on official announcements from DBP and government agencies for accurate updates.
As assessments continue, DBP said it will promptly inform the public once the Cotabato and Tacurong branches are cleared to resume operations. Until then, clients are urged to stay informed and make use of available banking alternatives.
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