Quake victims in Negros Oriental need water, food, medicines

VICTIMS of Monday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Negros Oriental, particularly those in La Libertad, Ayongon, Tayasan and Gihulngan City, are in urgent need of potable water, medicines, shovels and food.

With this, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Central Visayas is asking the public for donations, which may be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Oxygen tanks are also needed for rescued victims.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Negros and Cebu islands, as well as other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, at 11:49 a.m. of February 6, with the epicenter located in Tayasan town.

Members of the RDRRMC-Central Visayas are in Negros Oriental to assess the situation in the affected areas and see the extent of the damages to infrastructure and other sectors.

A report received by the RDRRMC from the Federation of Volunteers Through Radio Communication Inc. (FVRC) said an estimated 80 to 100 families in Sitio Bloke, Barangay Sulonggon in La Libertad town are buried in landslide.

Teams of the FVRC in Negros and Cebu are extending assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines dispatched Wednesday four huey helicopters to help in the conduct of the continuing search and relief operations.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will also tap the services of the Philippine Air Force’s C-130 and the Philippine Navy vessel to bring relief and rescue operation equipment to areas heavily damaged by the earthquake. (PIA)