Negros Occidental is prepared to send its trained Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) teams to earthquake-hit areas in Mindanao, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday, July 8.
“We are just waiting for the augmentation requests from the Office of Civil Defense,” he said.
“Financial aid will follow after we get more information about damages and the number of people affected,” he said.
Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said we do not know the extent of the damage yet, but local government units should also help the earthquake-hit areas.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the number of fatalities from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Sarangani province at 7:37 a.m. Monday had reached at least 19.
It also injured 134 individuals — 129 in Soccsksargen and five in the Davao Region, while 12 were reported missing in General Santos City, the NDRRMC said.
Major damage to infrastructure was also reported.*
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