NDRRMC: Cebu earthquake death toll now at 70

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday said that the number of people reported to have died from the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu, on September 30 rose to 70.

The NDRRMC stated in its situational report that the reported deaths were being validated. 

In a separate message, the agency shared the breakdown of fatalities in the following areas of Cebu province:

• Bogo - 32
• Medellin - 14
• San Remigio - 15
• Sogod - 1
• Tabuelan - 1
• Tabogon - 6
• Borbon - 1

The number of people reported injured stood at 559:

• Bogo - 180
• Medellin - 66
• Tabuelan - 20
• Tabogon - 150
• Borbon - 8
• Catmon - 4
• Daanbantayan - 29
• San Remigio - 86
• San Francisco - 14
• Carmen - 2

No person was reported missing, according to the NDRRMC. However, a total of 128,294 families, or 457,554 persons, were affected by the earthquake, of which 407 families, or 1,347 persons, were served inside four evacuation centers, and 7,942 families, or 25,291 persons, were served outside evacuation centers.

Following the tremor, two earthquake-induced landslides, one structural fire, two collapsed structures, and one chemical leak occurred, all in Region 7.

Three of the seven affected road sections and six of the 11 affected bridges were still not passable.

Power supply remains interrupted in 48 cities or municipalities in Region 6 (Western Visayas) but restored in 16 cities or municipalities in Region 7 (Central Visayas) and 27 in the Negros Island Region.

Communication lines were also affected in 14 cities or municipalities in Region 7.

Three seaports in Region 7 were either nonoperational or had their trips cancelled. A total of 214 passengers were stranded.

A total of 18,154 houses were reported damaged in Region 7, with 14,647 classified as partially damaged and 3,507 as totally damaged.

In addition, 533 infrastructure facilities were reported damaged.

Classes were suspended in 115 cities or municipalities in Region 6, Negros Island Region, and Region 7. Work was also suspended in 27 areas.

A total of 53 cities/municipalities in Region 7 were declared under a state of calamity. Assistance worth P36,109,746.21 was provided to the affected families.

In a Dobol  B TV interview, Cebu Provincial Government Public Information Officer Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong said rebuilding damaged infrastructure in the province would cost at least P3 billion.

“It's rebuilding kasi ang daming roads (because there were many damaged roads). Initial assessment pa lang (According to initial assessment), that's the roads, ports, bridges. We're already at P3 billion,” she said.

“Hindi pa kasali doon ‘yung ibang structures, may schools pa. So we're under rebuilding and kaya if there are, we're accepting donations, financial na malalagay natin. (It does not include other structures, we also have schools). We also have the fund, the disaster fund. So that will go to rebuilding efforts,” dela Torre-Orong added.

Dela Torre-Orong said the provincial government had already transitioned from search and rescue to relief efforts.

She urged volunteers and private organizations to coordinate relief efforts with the provincial government.—VBL, GMA Integrated News