Surigao quake death toll now at 8 –NDRRMC

MANILA –The death toll in Friday’s magnitude 6.7 earthquake that severely hit Surigao City Friday has climbed to eight with 202 persons reported injured.

This was announced by National Disaster Risk Response and Management Council spokesperson Mina Marasigan in a briefing Monday.

Of the eight deaths, four were already confirmed to be quake-related by Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Health, she added.

The other four are still being validated for inclusion in the death toll from the earthquake.

Of the 202 reported hurt in the tremor, 140 were already identified and classified as ambulatory.

Initial infrastructure damage was placed at PHP108.45 million but these figures could go higher once assessment teams have completed their report, the NDRRMC spokesperson added.

Damaged houses were placed at 1,034, with 155 being severely damaged by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, the initial relief supplies, which were transported by C-130 aircraft Sunday, has already been deployed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-CARAGA for distribution.

These were landed at Butuan City’s Bancasi Airport early Sunday morning and afterwards trucked some 124 kilometers to Surigao City.

These items consist of 10 generator sets, 150 solar lamps, 30,000 pieces of high-energy biscuits, 4,090 bars of brown rice, 100 rolls of laminated sacks, 2,000 pieces of mosquito nets, 2,000 plastic mats, and 2,000 blankets.

Marasigan said they are waiting for more C-130 aircraft to deliver more relief supplies.

Five filtration teams and their equipment are already in the area to help remedy the lack of potable water in the quake-ravaged city aside from supplies of “aquatabs” water purifying tablets.

Stress debriefing teams are also hand to help traumatized quake survivors, the NDRRMC spokesperson added.