Quake-hit Hinatuan declares state of calamity

The municipal government of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur declared a state of calamity Tuesday following the magnitude 7.4 earthquakes last Saturday.

In a "Balitanghali" report by Rgil Relator, nearly P4 million in calamity funds and about 5,000 food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been distributed to the quake victims.

Residents living near the shore have stopped fishing-based activities, while most residents have pre-emptively moved to evacuation centers in fear of stronger aftershocks.

Outside evacuation centers, DSWD- provided tents have been set up in open areas to act as temporary shelters for earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis revealed damages resulting from the earthquake have already reached more than P100 million.

Despite the amount of damage, Hinatuan has yet to record any casualties resulting from the tremors.

On Monday, the Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said that 200,228 individuals or 57,893 families in over 144 barangays have been affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

Two deaths, one in Bislig and one in Barobo, were reported. A mother was also declared dead on arrival in Tagum City, Davao del Norte after a wall from a collapsed house fell on her.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga director Liza Mazo said that the situation in the province was manageable despite the damages.

“For now, it’s manageable. We think that the local government units mismo ng province ng Surigao del Sur at ang local government units nila ang maayos ang response. Maganda ang leadership ng province at ng mga munisipyo,” she said.

As of December 3, more than 108,000 people were staying in 115 evacuation centers, while water and power lines have since been restored in the province.—RF, GMA Integrated News