5 water purifiers bound for Surigao
Death toll increases to 8
The national government is sending five more water purification and filtration systems to quakehit Surigao.
“Meron na tayong isang water purification and filtration system doon sa area at hopefully it’s either today or tomorrow dumating na din doon ‘yung additional na five na may kasamang teams na mag-ooperate nun,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Romina Marasigan said.
The delivery of the filtration systems will depend on the availability of a C130 aircraft bound for Surigao.
Potable water supply remains a serious problem in areas affected by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao on February 10. Water systems were damaged in Surigao City and the towns of Malimono and San Fran-
Infra damage hit P108M
cisco, among others.
“Itong filtration kahit galing sa ilog or kanal ang tubig pini-filtrate para paglabas maging drinking water na,” Marasigan said. She added that aqua tabs are also available.
Meanwhile, Marasigan said tents, blankets, plastic mats and food packs have been distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to the affected population.
She said there are no evacuation centers since affected families prefer to camp out near their damaged houses.
“Wala tayong balita ng evacuations kasi karamihan ‘yung pinadala nating tarpaulins at mga tali ginamit nila para mag camp-out sa mismong tabi ng kanilang bahay, gusto kasi nilang nababantayan ang bahay nila,” said Marasigan.
Marasigan said initial assess- ment on damage to infrastructure was estimated at P108.45 million.
She said engineers from the Department of Education and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers are conducting assessment in the area to identify the establishments which are no longer safe to use.
“Tinitignan din natin ang posibilidad ng pagtatayo ng temporary learning centers dahil ayaw naman nating madisrupt ang pagaaral ng mga kabataan sa lugar,” said Marasigan.
However, in the Caraga Regional Hospital, patients on the medical wards remain in the tents as the hospital buildings are still being inspected.
In its report, the NDRRMC said a total of 1,034 houses were damaged, 155 of which were wrecked.
It said of the 211 barangays in Surigao City that experienced power interruption after the earthquake, only 16 remain without electricity.