Malacañang said Wednesday the government would extend more aid to residents affected by the magnitude 6.6 earthquake in Masbate yesterday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government would deliver food packs, water, and blankets to the residents. Personnel would also be deployed to ensure social distancing rules are followed in evacuation centers, he added.
“One thing going for Masbate is that they have very low cases of COVID-19, but nonetheless, they should not be too complacent; even if they will be staying in temporary shelters, they have to observe social distancing,” Roque told CNN-Philippines in an interview.
“Whatever help that Masbate needs is forthcoming. We have a direct line already with the governor, as well as with the mayor of Cataingan. So the coordination effort to deliver what is needed by the residents of Cataingan is in full blast,” he added.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit Cataingan, Masbate, on Tuesday morning.
The earthquake was recorded at 8:03 a.m. Its epicenter was located at 11.98°N, 123.98°E – 005 km S 17° W of Cataingan.
Mayor of Cataingan said the town has no funds to help victims of magnitude 6.6 earthquake that hit Masbate yesterday, citing most of their budget was allocated to COVID-19 response.
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Masbate earthquake victims called for help
Cabataña said that some residents have been staying outside of their houses as aftershocks occur in their area every two to three hours.
“‘Yung mga tao ayaw nang pumasok sa mga bahay nila. Takot na takot na talaga sa lindol kasi ‘yung lindol ang pinakamalakas na lindol na nangyari dito sa amin,” he said.
The mayor appealed for donations of tents to give resident temporary shelters.
However, Cabataña was worried that the evacuees could not observe social distancing in evacuation centers due to limited space. He said 10 to 20 families have evacuated in each barangay.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday that a total of 66 families or 334 individuals in Cataingan were affected by the strong earthquake, which killed a retired policeman and injured at least 48 people.
OCD added 61 residences, and 19 schools in Masbate province had sustained damage.