Quake-hit Ormoc now under state of calamity —Palace

Ormoc City has been placed under a state of calamity following the earthquake that hit eastern Visayas on Thursday, Malacañang announced on Monday.

Presidential spokesman Abella made the announcement in a statement after he and Cabinet officials had a situation briefing with the local officials of Ormoc City and Kananga municipality.

"It was determined that Ormoc City, along with Kananga, a Leyte municipality, would be declared under a state of calamity," Abella said.

Abella attended the briefing in Leyte with Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade, Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar, Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Usec. Ricardo Jalad, and representatives from other departments.

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and Kananga Mayor Rowena Codilla apprised the Cabinet officials about the situation in their respective localities.

"NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) assessed that the energy situation needed to be addressed as soon as possible, to avoid losses in revenue. Mayor Gomez reiterated their need for clean, potable water," Abella said.

"A full report will be submitted to the President by Secretary Lorenzana," he added.

Meanwhile, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez expressed her gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for the national government's quick response to the situation.

"We get him...and we love him," Abella quoted the Leyte representative as saying. —NB/KVD, GMA News