MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang assured victims of the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that devastated portions of Ormoc City and Kananga town in Leyte of government’s help.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Friday said that “the administration is deploying all available resources to rescue survivors and to return normalcy to the place.”
“We continue to call on the resilient spirit of the Filipino to close ranks against the vicissitudes confronting our people. No matter what, we will rise again and we will rise into our destined greatness,” Abella added.
Thursday’s strong temblor that was felt in Ormoc and Kananga at Intensity 7 killed two people — 40-year-old Gerry Movilla from Kananga, who was died when a three-story building in the town collapsed and 19-year-old Rhissa Robles of Ormoc, who was hit by falling hollow blocks.
Four adults and two children — Marian Superales, 42; Jevy Omulon, 38; Edgar Cabahug; Irene Flores; and Aina Nicole Geraldez, 7 and Sancho Geraldez, 4 — were rescued from the collapsed building in Kananga, according to a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
NDRRMC said at least 72 were injured due to the quake — 43 in Kananga; 26 in Carigara; and 3 in Ormoc.
Meanwhile, power interruptions were reported in Bogo City and Cebu City in Cebu province and in Tagbilaran City and Jagna town in Bohol.
The tremor also triggered a landslide on Mt. Amandiwing in Brgy. Rubias, Jaro, Leyte, while two classrooms in Bienvenido Celebre National High School in Brgy. Uguiao, Jaro, Leyte.
Abella said the administration “stand(s) with the people of Leyte” and “condole with those who have lost their loved ones and we continue to stand with those who have loved ones who have been hurt.”
