Batanes quake damage estimated at P47 million

Aerial Inspection of Earthquake-Affected Sites in Itbayat, Batanes. Photos from the Office of Sen. Bong Go

MANILA, Philippines — The powerful earthquake that struck Itbayat, Batanes last Saturday caused an estimated P47 million in damage.

The cost of damage from the major twin earthquakes and the series of aftershocks was estimated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

A total of 15 houses were reported damaged due to the earthquakes, based on official figures of the disaster agency as of Monday morning.

A total of two schools and two health facilities were also reported to have incurred damage. The two schools were the Mayan Elementary School and Itbayat National Agriculture High School. The health facilities were the Itbayat District Hospital and Itbayat Rural Unit.

Deaths from the earthquake also climbed to 9, with about 60 injured. 

Residents continue to stay in tents outdoors because authorities have yet to give a go signal for them to return to their homes. Itbayat has a population of almost 3,000. /je