This photo from the office of Abra Rep. Ching Bernos shows a building tilted and severely damaged by the strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Abra province on Wednesday morning, July 27, 2022. via Julie Aurelio/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Victims of the powerful Abra earthquake may receive up to P10,000 cash assistance from the government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said it had already released an initial amount of P10 million for the victims of the magnitude 7.0 tremor that rocked Abra and parts of Luzon on Wednesday morning.
“Ang sinisiguro ni [Social Welfare Secretary] Erwin Tulfo, naka-ready ‘yung ating mga pang-ayuda sa ating mga kababayan. At this point in time, naglabas na ng initial na P10 million ‘yung DSWD,” Lopez said during the Laging Handa briefing.
(Secretary Erwin Tulfo assures everyone that assistance is ready for our countrymen. At this point in time, the DSWD has released an initial amount of P10 million.)
WATCH: Drone footage of damage caused by quake in Abra
“’Yung ating mga kababayan na naging biktima ng sakunang ito, maaari po silang tumanggap ng P5,000 to P10,000 under ito ng Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation o AICS,” he also explained.
(Our countrymen who fell victims to this tragedy may receive P5,000 to P10,000 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation or AICS.)
READ: Magnitude 7 earthquake jolts Abra, other parts of Luzon
Lopez said social welfare officers will assess the beneficiaries for the cash aid. “Ia-assess lang po kayo ng ating mga social welfare officer at sisiguraduhin naming mapapabigay sa inyo ang mga ayuda na ‘yan.”
(Social welfare officers will assess the beneficiaries and ensure that assistance will be given.)
READ: 808 aftershocks recorded so far after Abra earthquake
Tulfo is currently in Abra, the epicenter of the earthquake, to check on the situation of the victims there.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also visited the province and led a situation briefing on Thursday. Among his instructions was to restore power and communication lines in the earthquake-hit areas immediately.
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