DAMAGED. The magnitude 7 quake left huge cracks in the centuries-old Tayum Church in Abra on Wednesday (July 27, 2022). Abra Governor Dominic Valera approved on Thursday (July 28, 2022) a resolution by its Sangguniang Panlalawigan declaring the entire province under a state of calamity. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Abra Governor Dominic Valera approved a resolution by its Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Thursday declaring the entire province under a state of calamity due to the massive destruction caused by a magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon on Wednesday.
Resolution 180, series of 2022, was unanimously signed by all of the province’s officials in a special session on Thursday to enable the provincial government to immediately address the needs of its people.
“Resolved, as it is hereby resolved, to declare the Province of Abra under the State of Calamity to mobilize the Provincial and the 27 LGUs to respond to the immediate needs of Abrenios and for other purposes,” the resolution read.
“Resolved further, commitment to this destruction the 58 percent Calamity Reserve Fund is available and authorized to be utilized for the purpose and for other related purposes,” it added.
Meanwhile, the province is also requesting immediate assistance from the national government and the different concerned agencies for proper disaster response, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction support.
The magnitude 7 earthquake that jolted Northern Luzon on Wednesday had its epicenter recorded in Tayum, Abra.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has so far recorded 828 aftershocks that ranged from magnitude 1.5 to 5.4, as of 11 a.m. on Thursday, while advising the public that aftershocks may still continue for several weeks.
The provincial government reported massive destruction in the entire province due to the earthquake.
“Initial/progressing report from PDRRMO on damages caused by the earthquake has affected 80 percent of the total population of Abra and major infrastructure facilities both private and government properties were severely damaged,” the resolution stated.
The resolution added that a province-wide power outage is being experienced as power lines have been destroyed.
“Destruction of houses, buildings, and bridges have paralyzed the operation of business establishments likewise, displacing a lot of Abrenios as they stay out of their homes without food,” it further said.
On Thursday morning, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to Abra with Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Defense OIC Undersecretary Jose Faustino and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo.
Marcos personally checked on the situation of the affected individuals as he conducted a security briefing with concerned national and local officials, and led the distribution of relief goods to the victims. (PNA)
