DHSUD: Over 54,000 families affected by Abra quake

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said on Monday that 54,504 families or 215,313 individuals were affected by the powerful earthquake that hit Luzon last week.

DHSUD Assistant Secretary for Support Services Avelino Tolentino said that as of August 1, 1,047 families or 3,747 individuals were temporarily taking shelter at 42 evacuation centers.

“Mino-monitor natin ito kasi gumagalaw itong figures. In fact, kahapon medyo mas mataas nang kaunti. We had 43 evacuation centers yesterday, nasa 5,200 individuals ‘yan pero bumaba na into 3,700,” Tolentino said at the “Laging Handa” public briefing.

(We’re still monitoring the situation because the figures are changing. The numbers were larger yesterday - we had 43 evacuation centers with 5,200 individuals. But today, it went down to 3,700.)

“Sa aming pag-observe ng data, mas marami na nakikitungo sa mga kaanak sa mga apektadong pamilya. Mula sa 27,313 persons who were found staying with relatives and friends sa Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, tumaas ang numbers na ito. Nasa 30,345 na,” he added.

(In our observation, we found out that more affected families are now seeking shelter with relatives. From 27,313 persons in locos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, staying with their friends and families, the numbers went up by 30,345.)

Tolentino also said 20,533 houses were damaged by the quake, with 302 homes completely wrecked.

The DHSUD said it had activated its shelter cluster teams in Region 1, Region 2, and the Cordillera Administrative Region to assist the quake victims with food and water, shelter-grade tarpaulins, and cash aid.

The department was also coordinating with other government agencies to ensure continuous assistance to all affected regions.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier reported that earthquake damage to infrastructure in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region was valued at over P70 million. — DVM, GMA News