OFFICIALS of Masbate and other areas affected by Tuesday’s magnitude 6.6 earthquake yesterday appealed for help from national government as their contingency funds have been depleted because these were used for efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The death toll from the quake also rose to two as a resident from the hardest-hit Cataingan town was reported to have died of heart attack during the shaking. The first fatality is a retired police colonel who was pinned down by debris when his house in collapsed.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said 218 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 1.6 to 4.4 have been recorded as of 4 a.m., and 21 more up to 4 p.m yesterday. One of them, with magnitude 5.1, occurred around 5:50 a.m. with epicenter at some 21 km southeast of Cataingan.
“Minor to moderate aftershocks are expected to occur in the epicentral area but occurrences of strong aftershocks cannot be discounted. These may continue for several days to weeks, some of which may be felt,” Phivolcs said.
Cataingan Mayor Felipe Cabataña said many of his constituents are afraid of returning to their houses because of the aftershocks.
“Medyo bumangon na ng kunti, kaya lang ang mga tao dito, nagpapanik pa rin, ayaw nilang pumasok sa building nila kasi every now and then nag-a-aftershocks. (We’re recovering but the people are panicking, they don’t want to enter buildings because every now and then, there are aftershocks),” he said.
Cabataña did not say how many residents refused to return to their homes but said they are staying at schools converted as evacuation centers.
He said minimum health standards adopted amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly physical distancing, are sometimes violated at the evacuation centers due to overcrowding.
Cabataña appealed for tents so that the families can be separated and physical distancing can be ensured.
He also appealed for financial assistance from national government, saying the town’s contingency funds have been depleted due to their efforts against the spread of COVID-19.
“Wala na, na-allocate na namin sa COVID. Hindi naman namin inaasahan na may lindol pa. (There are no more funds. We already allocated for COVID. We’re not expecting an earthquake),” Cabataña said.
Cabataña said the provincial government has provided them assistance but it was not enough. He said the provincial government is also running out of funds.
Cabataña said the town registered another fatality from the quake, in addition to retired police colonel Gilbert Sauro who perished when his house in Barangay Concepcion in Cataingan town collapsed.
Cabataña did not identify the second fatality who he said has a history of heart ailment. He said the earthquake triggered the victim’s heart attack.
The mayor said 50 other residents were injured based on initial reports that reached him, some of them are still confined in hospitals.
The Office of Civil Defense-Bicol region said 48 were injured in the towns of Palanas, Pio V Corpuz, and Uson, all in Masbate.
Cabataña said at least P115 million worth of public and private property has been damaged by the earthquake in the town, based on the assessment of the municipal engineering office.
Cabataña said the town hall was among those damaged. He said he has suspended the operation of the town hall until tomorrow for inspection by engineers.
The OCD-Bicol region said damage to roads and government public structures in the province was placed P23.9 million, based on initial estimates of the regional Department of Public Works and Highways.
It also said damaged public properties included 19 schools.
