President Rodrigo Duterte with Sen. Christopher Go prepare to board a helicopter for an aerial inspection of quake-hit areas in Itbayat, Batanaes, on Sunday, July 28, 2019. (Photo from the Office of Sen. Christopher Go)
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday visited Batanes following the twin quakes that hit the province on Saturday morning.
The President, accompanied by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go and Gov. Marilou Cayco, conducted an aerial inspection on a helicopter of the town of Itbayat, the town hardest hit by the quakes.
The President was briefed on the situation and status of assistance provided to the affected residents.
During the briefing, the President also ordered authorities to ensure that supply lines in quake-hit Batanes would be restored to make sure nobody gets hungry.
A magnitude 5.4 hit the town at 4:16 a.m. on Saturday and was followed by a stronger magnitude 5.9 quake at 7:37 a.m.
As of this writing, eight people were reported dead and at least 60 people were injured, with one still missing.
One of the coastal areas damaged by twin quakes that hit Itbayat, Batanes, on Saturday, July 27, 2019. This photo was taken from helicopter used by President Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Christopher Go, and Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco on Sunday. (Photo from the Office of Sen. Christopher Go)
Some of the structures toppled by twin quakes that hit Itbayat on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Photo from the office of Sen. Christopher Go)
The Sta. Maria de Mayan Church in Itbayat was one of the structures badly damaged by quakes that hit Batanes on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Photo from the Office of Sen. Christopher Go)
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