THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental will extend financial assistance to the victims of earthquakes in Mindanao.

Provincial Disaster Management Program head Zeaphard Caelian said the amount will be determined by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is also the chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

The death toll from the two recent earthquakes that jolted Mindanao this week is at 17, disaster authorities said, as Cotabato, one of the hard hit provinces, has declared a state of calamity.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it also raised its alert status to blue so that its personnel could coordinate response efforts in the regions of Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) and other areas affected by the earthquakes.

Meanwhile, Caelian said Negros Occidental may continue to experience isolated rain showers due to the tail end of cold front and Tropical Storm Quiel, which is expected to leave the country on November 10.

Caelian still reminded the public, especially those living at the landslides and flood-prone areas, to take precautionary measures.