Over 82K families affected by quake

THE number of residents affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Northern Luzon has reached 314, 161 individuals or 82, 336 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday.

The number of injured rose to 375 while the death toll remained at 10.

Some 21,890 houses were damaged, as well as 539 buildings, hospitals and churches.

A total of 43 roads and 7 bridges are still not passable. The estimated damage to infrastructure was estimated at P414.2 million.

Electricity in all of the 48 cities and municipalities that had power outages have been restored.

Water supply in three out of four cities and municipalities that experienced interruption had been restored.

The NDRRMC said 27 cities and municipalities were placed under a state of calamity.

More than P11.6 million worth of assistance has been provided by the government to affected residents.

Telcos gives aid

PLDT and their wireless provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), along with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) said that it will provide assistance in the form of communication, relief goods and hygiene kits to communities affected by the quake.

To help residents get back on their feet, the company said it will defer the disconnection of service for those who have unpaid bills.

PLDT and Smart have reopened their stores in quake-hit areas to serve the public. These stores are in Bangued, Bucay, Dolores, Lagangilang, Penarrubia, San Juan and Tayum in Abra; La Trinidad in Benguet; Bantay, Candon, and Vigan in Ilocos Sur; Bauko, Sadanga, Sagada and Tadian in Mountain Province.

Source: TheManila Times