By Alec Go
Four casualties have been recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and one in Cagayan following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that jolted several portions of Luzon on Wednesday morning, July 27.
This was announced by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in a media briefing on Wednesday evening.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said earlier that the two deaths were recorded in Benguet and one in Abra. he said the deaths were due to landslides.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 58 landslide incidents have been reported including 31 in Abra alone.
At least 64 individuals were also injured in CAR, including 44 in Abra, the quake’s epicenter.
A total of 29 municipal roads were also damaged, as well as three bridges in Abra.
Meanwhile, 33 buildings were affected in Baguio, 59 in Abra, 62 in Benguet, 10 in Mountain Province, seven in Kalinga, and two in Apayao for a total of 173.
Based on the first situational report issued, landslide incidents were reported in Benguet, along with some signal and power interruptions, while damages were also reported in Lagangilang, Abra and Mountain Province.
The Cordillera Regional Risk-Reduction Management Council is on red alert and has already activated its regional disaster response plan for earthquakes.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways in CAR, there are 14 road closures as of 2:00 p.m. “due to soil collapse, slope collapse, rock slides, crack along the road lines.”
As of 10:35 a.m. Kennon Road is closed to all motorists, while one lane is passable along Marcos Highway.
“I anticipate by the end of the day, the majority of these roads I have mentioned that were not passable should already be available for use to us,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during the briefing.
Meanwhile, work and class suspensions have been declared in several provinces, including Kalinga and Abra. Work was also canceled in Ifugao.
The OCD said 61 schools were affected in Regions 1, 2, 3, and CAR.
Assistance
Marcos said he sees no necessity “right now to declare national emergency.”
“Ang state of national calamity kapag apektado ang tatlong region… So far, we can say that is is Region 1 and CAR,” he said.
“However, depending on the information that comes back, I’m sure marami pa tayong mababalitaan, marami pang impormasyon na hindi nakarating sa atin, baka mangyari iyon. I hope not,” he added.
Marcos assured to provide shelter assistance to quake victims, and said that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation “is for all citizens in a precarious situation” in response to queries on cash aid provision.
“In terms of what we’re anticipating after this earthquake, I think we should be able to cover,” he said, referring to assistance funding.
Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino said Luzon regions have been alerted on their responses and relief packages have been prepositioned. Military assets are also on standby.
The OCD advised the public to “remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, and follow authorities’ safety warnings.” – gb
