NDRRMC, other gov’t agencies urged to hasten assistance to quake-hit areas in Batanes

The Itbayat Church sustains damage after Batanes was hit by a 5.4 magnitude earthquake before dawn Saturday. (Photos by Dominic De Sagon Asa)

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Monday called on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other relevant agencies to hasten humanitarian assistance and restore normalcy of areas affected by earthquakes and aftershocks that rattled Itbayat, Batanes last Saturday.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Minority Leader and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. filed House Resolution No. 139 to also convey their sympathies and deepest condolences to those affected by the quakes. The chamber adopted the resolution, and congressmen were asked to commit monetary donations for Batanes during the afternoon plenary session.

A magnitude 5.4 quake jolted Itbayat at 4:16 a.m. on Saturday. It was followed by a stronger magnitude 5.9 quake at 7:37 a.m. The quake left nine people killed and 60 others injured. It also caused some P47 million in damage.

UPDATE: 9 dead, 60 injured in Batanes quakes | Batanes quake damage estimated at P47 million

“The House of Representatives commiserate with the families and loved ones of those affected by this natural disaster which is unprecedented in Batanes,” the resolution read.

“The House of Representatives expresses its gratitude to individuals and organizations, both government and non-government, that immediately responded to the disaster and extended help through search and rescue efforts, delivery of food and non-food items, first aid, psychosocial support, and financial assistance, among others,” it added.

Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. earlier said residents of Itbayat in the northernmost province are still in need of food, water, tents, plastic mats, and portable toilets or portalets.

READ: Batanes quake survivors still in need of food, water, relief items

President Rodrigo Duterte has also committed P40 million for rescue and medical assistance in the province./ac

READ: Duterte commits funds to quake-hit Batanes