7 Abra towns isolated after earthquake due to damaged roads, landslides

Seven towns in Abra province have been isolated due to the strong earthquake that jolted parts of Northern Luzon on Wednesday.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan’s Ivy Hernando on "24 Oras," access to the affected municipalities have been affected because of damaged infrastructure and  landslides.

Abra is now in a state of calamity following the incident.

Based on the data from the provincial government, the total damage in the province have reached P339 million. 

“Number 1, tubig pati yung tubig ng firetruck iniinom na namin. Binibigay namin dyan sa mga tao ng libre. Sabi nila pwede mainom. Tiningnan ko naman, mayroon pala silang filter,” Gov. Dominic Valera said.

(Number 1 is the water. We’re now drinking the water supply from fire trucks. We’ve been giving those out for free. The firemen said we can drink it. I inspected it and they have filters.)

The national government had extended assistance to the earthquake victims, the report said. Apart from food and water supplies, tarpaulins were also given out to the victims for their makeshift shelters.

The isolated towns were likewise provided with relief assistance after authorities airlifted the supplies through the Philippine Air Force. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) Abra Schools Division Office reported a total of 317 elementary and secondary schools were damaged by the quake. Of which, 228 are totally damaged and are seen to be demolished.

The DepEd Divisions Office said 430 classrooms sustained major damage from the incident. -Sundy Mae Locus/NB, GMA News