Aftershocks scare survivors from returning to homes

Monday, February 13, 2012

SURVIVORS of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Negros Oriental refused to go back to their homes because of the continued aftershocks, which can be felt not only in the area but also in neighboring provinces of Negros Occidental and Cebu.

According to Undersecretary Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (NDRRMC), the survivors opted to stay in the open field rather than go back to their homes for fear that the aftershocks would cause their houses to collapse on them.

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“They don’t want to go home even if they were given the go signal,” Ramos said, adding that there were already 1,470 aftershocks recorded.

He said the survivors have instead put up tents in open fields and even just outside their homes to ensure their safety rather than go inside their houses.

Ramos, who is still in the Negros Oriental, revealed that the search and retrieval operations in the landslide-stricken areas were temporarily put on hold because of the rains Sunday.

He said this is also to prevent further casualties, as the rains may trigger landslides and endanger the rescuers.

He said the 542nd Engineering Battalion has augmented the various rescue units helping in the search and retrieval operations and has brought with them a bulldozer.

Aside from the said unit, Albay Governor Joey Salceda has also sent the province’s rescue team.

Other teams from the Metro Manila Development Authority and other local government units like Bacolod City and the province of Negros Occidental are augmenting the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police forces that are already in the area, Ramos added.

Ramos said the death toll already stands at 41, while 64 are still missing.

He also revealed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines had sent a water purifier in the area to address the potable water needs of the victims.

Meanwhile, Ramos reported that a motorized banca MV Aga Fe bringing relief goods which departed from Ronda, Cebu and bound for Cantupa, La Libertad with more or less 50 passengers capsized near the seas of La Libertad around 12:30 noon Saturday.

The passengers included 10 Red Cross volunteers. The banca also carried 100 sacks of rice intended for the earthquake victims.

He said two Air Force UH-IH Huey helicopters as well as search and rescue volunteers of the Philippine Coast Guard immediately responded to conduct search and rescue operations.

All the passengers were safely rescued and the relief goods were distributed to the earthquake survivors.