Earthquake-affected families cramped in evacuation tents in Cotabato

As Cotabato reels from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Mindanao last week, affected residents are finding themselves cramped in tents at evacuation centers.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras", a tent would hold up to five families at the evacuation sites after an estimated 3,700 families were displaced by the earthquakes in Regions XI and XII.

Many parents have lost sleep due to worry over the welfare of their children, some of whom have fallen ill, on top of the trauma brought about by the successive quakes.

“Mahirap talaga e. Konting alog lang, parang bumabalik kami dun sa dati,” said Angelica Macla from Barangay Malasila in Makilala, Cotabato.

“Nagsasabihan kami, ‘Ano kaya ang kahihinatnan natin at kailan kaya tayo makakaalis dito?’ Kasi ang hirap na talaga, pati ‘yung anak ko nagkakasakit na, nilalagnat at saka may ubo pa,” added Gilbert Lagang.

Vice Mayor Ryan Tabanay of Makilala appealed for flashlights and other portable light sources, baby formula, hygiene kits, toiletries, and laundry soap for affected residents.

The NDRRMC earlier said there was no delay in the delivery of aid to victims. 

The local government of Cotabato said it had enough relief goods for all victims and urged displaced residents to go to their nearest evacuation center to receive aid.

“Dini-discourage namin ‘yung pagbibigay sa kalsada dahil wala hong data doon. Ang gagawin po natin, magpa-check in tayo, alamin namin ano ‘yung mga dala mo at saan mo siya dadalhin para mabawas doon sa quota namin," Cotabato Vice  At para din ‘yung ibang dadating, mai-assign namin doon sa ibang areas kasi mahirap, ‘yung iba doble-doble, triple ang natatanggap, ‘yung iba naman wala,” said Cotabato Acting Vice Governor Charlene Macasate said.

On Sunday, the Philippine Air Force had to airlift some residents out of Makilala as the road networks had been rendered impassable by landslides. 

Tulunan, Cotabato was the epicenter of two powerful temblors that struck on October 29 (magnitude 6.6) and October 31 (magnitude 6.5), days after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the same region on October 16. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News