Luzon quake death toll climbs to 16 —NDRRMC

The number of people who were killed following the powerful earthquake that struck Luzon on Monday afternoon has reached 16, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

Fifteen of the fatalities were from Pampanga, the hardest hit province of the earthquake — 12 from Porac, two from Lubao and one from Angeles. One fatality was also recorded in San Marcelino, Zambales.

The NDRRMC also reported on Tuesday afternoon that 81 people were injured in the quake while 14 remained missing.

The magnitude 6.1 quake, the epicenter of which was traced in Castillejos, Zambales, also damaged 29 structures and buildings, according to the NDRRMC.

Monday's earthquake has prompted NDRRMC to raise its alert status to blue since 7 p.m. It also tasked its regional offices to raise their alert status and continuously monitor their Areas of Responsibility (AOR).

The Metro Manila Development Authority, for its part, has deployed a 12-man Search Rescue and Retrieval team to attend to affected areas.

On the other hand, the Bureau of Fire Protection deployed 155 of its personnel as well as rescue trucks, fire trucks, and ambulance in Pampanga for rescue and response operations.

Other contingents deployed for assistance were from the police, municipal officers of NDRRMC and Philippine Air Force.

According to the NDRRMC, backhoes, jackhammers, hydraulics, and cranes were used in order to speed up the said operation.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned 305,830 family food packs worth P110 million and other food and non-food items worth P764 million.

A standby fund of P1.3 billion has also been earmarked to address other needs as they come.

The quake also damaged the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, resulting in the airport's closure since Monday night.

The earthquake also suspended railway operations in Metro Manila on Monday, but operations have since resumed as of Tuesday morning. —KBK, GMA News