P383M estimated cost of infrastructure damage from Visayas quake—NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines – The total cost of damages to infrastructure and property brought by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Negros Occidental has reached P383 million as the death toll in the landslides have gone up to 50, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its update Friday.

The damage to roads, bridges and buildings and close to 15,000 houses in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Cebu is estimated at P383,059,000, the NDRRMC said in its update.

Meanwhile, the number of casualties caused by the landslides has reached 50 with 24 coming from Guihulngan; nine from Jimalalud; nine from La Libertad; three from Tayasan; two from Ayungon; two from Manjuyod; and one from Bindoy.

At least three survivors were rescued by authorities in the past several days from the landslides, two from Guihulngan and one from La Libertad.

The number of missing believed to be still buried underneath the earth has reached 66 with 28 coming from Guihulungan and 38 from La Libertad, the towns severely hit by landslides. Up to 112 were reportedly injured.

An estimated 263,335 persons (52,933 families) throughout Region VII (Central Visayas) have been affected, but only 40,035 persons (8,099 families) were in 74 evacuation centers.

Relief goods provided by the government have reached P33,464,492 from NDRRMC, Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD), Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and the Department of Health (DoH).

Majority of relief goods came from DSWD with P22,568,195 while LGUs have provided P7,207,771 worth of relief goods.

The United Nations World Food Program (UN-WFP) donated 20 metric tons of High Energy biscuits to the victims of the earthquake and landslides in the towns of Ayungon, Jimalalud, Guihulngan, Tayasan, and La Libertad.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are seeking to declare Barangay (Village) Vive, Ronda, Cebu as a “No Habitation Zone” after conducting a geological survey.

The LGU of Ronda, Cebu has ordered the evacuation of affected families in the said barangay (village).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has recorded up to 1,678 aftershocks, more than a hundred of which were felt.