MANILA – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said seven persons were killed and 81 others sustained injuries following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck several Luzon areas on Monday afternoon.
Based on NDRRMC advisory on Tuesday, 24 persons were still missing, mostly from the fallen Chuzon supermarket in Porac, Pampanga, where search and rescue operation was still ongoing.
NDRRMC spokesman Ed Posadas said figures of casualties and injuries reported to them by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region III (Central Luzon), are still up for validation.
The Council recorded 32 structures “affected” by the earthquake in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Luzon.
No major roads were declared impassable but a landslide in San Marcelino, Zambales prompted the evacuation of some 120 families.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a total of 421 aftershocks were recorded as of Tuesday ranging from 1.4 to 3.4 but only eight were felt.
Pampanga governor Lilia Pineda said there were 11 people who died, including a child inside the fallen building in Porac and a senior citizen who was hit by a water tank.
The governor added the casualties in Chuzon Supermarket and four other employees were from Tarlac.
“May isang batang nakuha, namatay. Nasa Korea ‘yung magulang nung bata,” Pineda said.
“Hanggang ngayon ‘yung taga-Tarlac na empleyado, wala pang nag-claim, so hindi natin alam na ‘yung mga magulang baka hindi pa nila nalalaman [ang balita],” she added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang assured the public they are closely monitoring the situation.
“We assure our people that concerned agencies of the government are already responding and assisting those in troubled conditions and shall continue to do so for as long as necessary,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
He added responders from the NDRRMC, OCD, Philippine National Police, local government units, and other related agencies, are cooperating and coordinating in serving the people affected.
The Departments of Transportation and Energy are on full alert to address issues on disruption of transportation services and power supply.
“We ask the public to remain calm but vigilant and we urge them to refrain from spreading disinformation in social media that may cause undue alarm, panic and stress to many people,” the palace official said.
“We call upon our citizens’ innate bayanihan spirit and request their cooperation, patience and understanding in this time of need,” added Panelo. /PN
