Quakes leave Itbayat residents worried about food, shelter

A series of moderately strong earthquakes leave the historic Itbayat Church damaged. Rescuers retrieve the body of one of the casualties of the tremor. (Images courtesy of Dominic De Sagon Asa and Agnes Salengua Nico)

MANILA, Philippines — The two earthquakes that hit Itbayat in Batanes some three hours apart of each other on Saturday morning had residents worried not only about aftershocks but also about food and shelter.

Itbayat Vice Mayor Ronald Gutierrez said limited resources of the local government forced residents to build their own makeshift shelter and tents at the town plaza near a covered basketball court

Gutierrez estimated that around 2,000 residents were seeking shelter in fear of being trapped in their houses in case of aftershocks.

Because of limited space at the town plaza, only children and the elderly could lie down, the more able-bodied opting to just sit down.

According to Gutierez, some food previously stocked by the Department of Social Welfare and Development was already being distributed.

“We’re hoping that early morning tomorrow, the PAF [Philippine Air Force transport] plane here could bring more food and medicines,” he said, speaking partly in Filipino.

The plane, he explained, left in the morning to transport seven injured residents to Basco, the provincial capital of Batanes. It was not able to return because of bad weather, causing zero visibility and rough waters.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterete had already been briefed about the situation and that the Palace had started closely monitoring developments in the province.

“The President has been briefed on the situation and he directed all agencies to respond and undertake measures to provide assistance to the victims of this force majeure and rehabilitate the damaged properties in the areas,” Panelo said in a statement.

A magnitude 5.4 quake hit the town at 4:16 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a stronger magnitude 5.9 quake at 7:37 a.m.

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