MANILA – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday said the number of deaths being validated following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that rocked Mindanao on Nov. 17 has climbed to nine.
In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said eight of the reported fatalities were in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) and one in Region 11 (Davao Region).
It added that 11 persons were reported injured in Soccsksargen and another four in Davao Region.
The strong quake has affected 2,489 families or 12,885 people in 43 barangays in both regions. It also damaged 826 houses.
No evacuation centers are active as of this time, the NDRRMC said.
The NDRRMC earlier said it will do its best to provide immediate assistance to the affected communities by the earthquake that struck off Sarangani at about 4:15 p.m.
On Sunday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered government officials to continue the relief operations in affected areas.
President Marcos is constantly monitoring the situation in Mindanao as he met with officials online while in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
Present during the meeting were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Social Welfare Undersecretary Edu Punay and Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, among others.
“Let’s just be vigilant. Let’s keep watching. We must pay attention to aftershocks because sometimes maraming nagiging casualty sa aftershock (there are many casualties during aftershocks),” Marcos said during the meeting.
Marcos also ordered the officials to ensure the safety of the residents, noting the spread of fake news regarding the tsunami hitting the region. (PNA)
