Families make tarps, umbrellas home in Tayum, Abra

Several families in Tayum, Abra used tarpaulins and umbrellas as makeshift shelters in the town’s freedom park as they evacuate from their houses following the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck the province and other parts of Luzon Wednesday morning.

According to Allan Gatus’ report on “24 Oras,” the residents were forced to leave their homes due to fear of aftershocks. The town was the earthquake’s epicenter.

“Ito po yung pinaka-safe place dahil malalayo sa mga building at mga istruktura na maaring bumagsak,” John Cabigas, one of the affected residents, said.

(This is the safest place right now because this is far from the buildings and structures which might collapse.)

Cabigas shared that several children sustained wounds from the incident after they were hit by small debris from collapsing establishments.

“Talagang nakakakilabot po ng balahibo. Tayuan 'yung mga balahibo 'pag maririnig mo 'yung sigawan ng matatanda,” he said.

(It is hair-raising… especially when you hear the elderly screaming for help.)

Among the victims’ immediate needs, Cabigas added, are portalet, tarpaulin, water, and food supplies.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Tayum said that 135 houses were damaged by the strong tremors. Eight individuals were also injured after they were hit by falling debris.

The earthquake also affected the town of Lagangilang in Abra, the report said.

Nine people sustained injuries from the incident while 365 houses were damaged. It also caused damage to the local government’s structure as well as the 19th Century baroque church of St. Catherine Of Alexandria Parish and a nearby school.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News