Quake-hit Pampanga to declare state of calamity, gov says

The local government of Pampanga is set to declare state of calamity in the province following the the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Zambales and other parts of Luzon on Monday, its governor said on Tuesday.

"Ipapa-declare ko ang state of calamity ngayon tsaka ngayon dineclare ko lahat ng private and goverment offices, walang pasok," Governor Lilia Pineda said in a phone interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

"Magpapa-declare ako ng state of calamity kasi maraming aasikasuhin lalo na dito sa building na gumuho sa Porac. Mayroon din kasing mga bahay na nagiba atsaka madami tayong mga poste ng kuryente na natumba. Inspeksyunin natin lahat ng building," she added.

According to Pineda, local government officials are still collating reports on casualties from each town.

"Ngayon pa lang natin makukuha 'yung report kung ilan talaga 'yung casualty natin kasi Porac pa lang ito eh tsaka Lubao. Wala pang report 'yung ibang bayan-bayan," she said.

A report by GMA News' James Agustin said five people died while six others were wounded from the rubble at the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac.

In a Reuters report, Pineda was quoted as saying that eight people were killed and about 20 others were injured. Pampanga is considered as the province most affected by the earthquake.

Pineda is asking the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to assist them in the inspection and construction of damaged infrastructures in the province.

"Sa ngayon, 'yung worst na talagang tinututukan namin ay 'yung building na nag-collapse. Meron pa naman pondo 'yung kapitolyo para matulungan lahat 'yung mga pamilya ng casualty natin pero ang kailangan namin 'yung tulong ng DPWH para sa inspection atsaka 'yung mga gagawin na tulay na nag-crack, mga kalsada na mayroon ding damage," Pineda said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News