Quake-hit Batanes under state of calamity

The entire province of Batanes has been placed under state of calamity following the series of earthquakes that left at least nine dead and 60 others hurt in the town of Itbayat over the weekend.

According to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad, residents in evacuation sites were still afraid of returning to their homes because of the aftershocks.

"Ang unang ginagawa ngayon ay yung assessment ng mga bahay. Ang report lang namin dito na nasirang bahay ay 15, so merong assessment na gagawin na pangungunahan 'yan ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) para mai-check yung safety ng mga bahay (kung) alin doon ang mga hindi puwedeng balikan at ano pang puwede nang balikan," Jalad told Unang Balita on Tuesday.

"Para naman makapagbawas doon sa mga agam-agam na may mga natatakot silang bumalik dahil may nararamdaman pang mga aftershock. Siyempre nakakatakot 'yun talaga at nakikita natin na nararamdaman natin na gumagalaw yung mga bahay," he added.

According to  Bam Alegre's report from Itbayat on Tuesday morning, at least 230 aftershocks have been recorded since Saturday.

At least 2,000 residents were still living in tents.

"Ang magandang tulong dito ay tulong pinansyal para sa mga kababayan na nasiraan ng bahay," Jald said. "Para maitayo nila ang bahay bna matibay at hindi basta-bastang mapinsala ng lindol." —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News