Underwear, sanitary napkins are basic needs too among quake victims in Negros Oriental—NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from basic necessities like drinking water, food, and medicines, toiletries, including underwear and sanitary napkins, are among the personal items needed most by victims of the landslide triggered by the 6.9 magnitude quake that hit Negros Oriental last week, according to a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Likewise, the NDRRMC noted that the scarcity of potable drinking water in the affected towns due to the damage sustained by the Guihulngan water system has caused the spread of disease among the residents, the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC list includes: sleeping/camping tents, clothing, mats, blankets, mosquito nets, pillows, towels, bath soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, plates, spoon and fork, drinking glass, underwear (panties, brass, briefs, kettle, dipper, ladle, slippers, butane gas and portable camp stove, rechargeable emergency lights, flashlights with batteries.

At least 8,469 families or 42,045 persons are currently being served inside 74 evacuation centers spread in Negros Oriental. Meanwhile social service authorities are also serving 19,604 families or 97,910 victims outside evacuation centers.

In its latest tally, the confirmed death toll has reached 43 while 63 other persons remained missing. The NDRRMC identified the latest recovered body as Conchita Pacluna of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, the search and rescue teams from Albay and the Metro Manila Development Authority pulled out of the landslide area at 6 p.m. Wednesday since there were no more signs of survivors, the NDRRMC said.

The strong tremor hit Negros Oriental town last February 6 and triggered several landslide incidents in Guihulngan City, La Libertad town and Tayasan town.

A total of 6,366 houses were totally wrecked while 8,066 others were partially damaged due to the quake.