Palace assures help for Batanes quake victims

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. INQUIRER.net file photo / Darryl Esguerra

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace on Saturday assured that government help is being extended to the victims of the series of quakes that struck Batanes, particularly the town of Itbayat, on Saturday.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said President Rodrigo Duterte had instructed government agencies to respond and provide assistance to the victims of the quake.

“There are some concerns about weather conditions, which is why everyone is working double time to make sure that we can immediately provide help to those who are affected by the quake. Time is of the essence here because of inclement weather,” Nograles said in a statement, noting that the rocky coastal waters and the high waves surrounding the town make it hard for relief goods to be delivered to the town.

Nograles added that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has been tasked to ensure that “emergency assistance would reach Batanes province immediately.”

Citing the requests of the Batanes provincial government, Nograles said that among the necessity of the residents of the town are tents for the residents who were evacuated at the town plaza; biscuits or bread for survival consumption; portable generators; and potable water.

In an earlier statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the Office of the President is closely monitoring the situation in Batanes, adding that Duterte had already been briefed about the situation.

“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.

A magnitude 5.4 hit the town at 4:16 a.m. and was followed by a relatively stronger magnitude 5.9 quake at 7:37 a.m.

Eight casualties and at least 60 people sustaining injuries have been reported as of posting time. /jpv

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