Two more fatalities in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu last week have been reported, bringing the death toll to 74 as of yesterday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense said the additional fatalities were reported in the towns of Tabogon and Medellin.
The number of injured people remained at 559 with no one reported missing.
Houses damaged by the earthquake increased to 71,996 from 62,531 the other day, with close to 5,000 assessed to be beyond repair, according to the NDRRMC.
From 733 the other day, the agency yesterday lowered to 703 the number of infrastructure such as schools and government facilities that were damaged during the quake.
Up to 189,620 families were displaced by the calamity. Most of them are staying in six evacuation centers.
The government has spent more than P152.6 million for food and non-food assistance to affected communities, especially in Bogo City, the epicenter of the earthquake, and its neighboring municipalities.
More help arriving
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday airlifted 20 tons of humanitarian cargo for the earthquake victims in Cebu.
PAL transported 3,000 liters of water donated by the Lucio Tan Group and the Asia Brewery Corp., and 654 kilos of hygiene and psychosocial kits provided by the Philippine Red Cross.
The transport of humanitarian cargo was facilitated by the PAL Foundation Inc., the corporate social arm of the flag carrier, in coordination with teams from PAL Cargo in Manila and Cebu.
PAL said it stands in solidarity with the people of Cebu during this time of calamity, and remains committed to providing support where it is needed most.
Local government units (LGUs) in Bacolod, Navotas, Pasig as well as Negros Occidental and Pangasinan have pledged to donate financial assistance for victims of the temblor.
Bogo City Mayor Maria Cielo Martinez on Wednesday received the financial assistance and five emergency go-bags from Pasig Councilors Warren Inocencio, Volta delos Santos and Buboy Agustin.
Aside from financial assistance, the LGUs deployed teams to assist in the search and rescue operations in Cebu.
Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has fully restored the internet connection in Cebu, a few days after the temblor.
DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the agency coordinated with leading telecommunications firms Globe, Smart and Dito to ensure the immediate restoration of internet connection in areas severely hit by the earthquake.
Aguda said that during calamities, communication is essential in saving lives.