THE death toll in the magnitude 6.9 Offshore Northern Cebu Earthquake on September 30 has climbed to 76 while the number of affected population because of the 7.4 and 6.8 twin earthquakes near Manay, Davao Oriental, continues to increase as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) said more aftershocks of the doublet earthquake still rock the coastal town.
The number of affected families, damaged infrastructure, and houses continues to climb in both the Bogo City, Cebu, and Manay, Davao Oriental earthquakes, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.
In its situation report released at 6:00 a.m. on October 16, the NDRRMC said the affected population continues to increase at 216,962 families or 748,025 persons.
The earthquake that also injured 559 others has affected a total of 260 barangays in 18 cities and municipalities in Cebu Province, the NDRRMC said.
So far, 11,874 aftershocks have been recorded by Phivolcs since the earthquake near Bogo, Cebu as of October 13.
Of these, 2,076 were plotted and 46 were actually felt. The magnitudes of these aftershocks range from 1 to 5.8.
The number of displaced persons also climbed to 21,616, and are sheltered in 17 evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC reported that 134,227 houses were damaged, of which 7,295 were totally destroyed, while 126,932 were partially damaged.
The number of damaged infrastructure as of the latest NDRRMC report has also climbed to 959.
So far, the estimated cost of assistance provided to affected communities has reached P401 million because of the Bogo, Cebu earthquake.
In the double earthquake near Manay, Davao Oriental, the NDRRMC said the number of affected families has now climbed to 272,701 or 1,188,366 persons in 600 barangays spread across 56 cities and towns in seven provinces.
Since the earthquake, aftershocks continue to rock Manay town. Phivolcs said it has recorded a total of 1,464 aftershocks, of which 706 were plotted and 19 were felt. The magnitudes of these aftershocks range from 1.2 to 5.8.
The NDRRMC said a total of 13,813 houses were damaged, of which 784 were destroyed, while 13,029 houses were partially damaged.
A total of 2,227 persons are currently sheltered in 11 evacuation centers.
The double earthquake has claimed the lives of eight people and injured 176 others.
NDRRMC said a total of 577 infrastructure were damaged, costing around P143 million.
The estimated cost of assistance provided to affected families is P 71,692,104, while the estimated cost of assistance provided to LGUs and Regional Agencies is P1,183,743.
Early recovery stage
CEBU province is now on the early recovery stage more than two weeks since a magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted.
In a news conference, Regional Director Joel Erestain of the Office of Civil Defense Central Visayas (OCD-7), said that temporary shelters are being pepared for those who had lost their homes during the earthquake.
Erestain said the national government through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority together with the local governments and the private sector has established two ‘Bayanihan’ villages in San Remigio and Daanbantayan towns to serve as temporary homes.
A total of 64 modular smart homes were initially built in barangay Poblacion in San Remigio DHSUD Assistant Secretary Johnson Domingo said.
These temporary shelters measuring 18 square meters, are equipped with basic utilities such as water and power supplies.
Eva Maria Marfil, DHSUD Regional Director, said it will be the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that will serve as the camp manager.
Two other tent cities were established by the Philippine Red Cross in Bogo City and Medellin town.
DHSUD targets to also construct a similar Bayanihan village in other areas badly hit by the earthquake.
Initial assessment on damage to infrastructure has reached P6 billion but the OCD-7 regional director said this could still increase as they await the final report.
Rehabilitation phase will only begin once they received advise from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that it is safe to do so.
‘Hindi pa recommended to start repairs since aftershocks are still being felt.if one to two weeks na walang mararamdaman then they recommend that we can start reconstructing,’ Erestain added.