THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), through its Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (Heart), has sent relief assistance to earthquake victims in Surigao City.
Armm-Heart is a convergence of agencies that oversees disaster preparedness and response in the region.
Armm Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said the relief assistance includes 200 sacks of rice, 50 boxes of instant coffee, 100 boxes of sardines, and 100 bottles of five-liter distilled water.
“The people of Surigao need assistance, and we should provide whatever we can,” Alamia said. Surigao City has been placed under a state of calamity.
At least 300 houses in Surigao del Norte, where Surigao City is located, were damaged by the temblor based on the report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
As of latest data, the temblor’s death toll has risen to eight, and the number of injured is now at 2,019.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council pegged damaged properties to more than P108 million.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Surigao City was hit by magnitude 6.7 earthquake at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 10, causing deaths, injuries and damage to properties.
The Phivolcs said the epicenter of the earthquake was 16 kilometers northwest of Surigao City and was of tectonic of origin. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)