Quake victims NegOr need water, food &meds
RDRRMC-7 appeals for donations
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, February 9 (PIA) – Quake-hit victims in Negros Oriental particularly La Libertad, Ayongon, Tayasan and Gihulngan City are in urgent need of potable water, medicines, shovels and food.
Thus, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 7 asked the public for donationsof these basic necessities. These may be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.
Oxygen tanks are also needed for rescued victims.
Central Visayas and other areas in the Visayas were hit by a strong quake at 11:49 a.m. February 6 with significant impact in the northern part of NegOr, which is located near the epicenter of the earthquake.
Members of the RDRRMC 7 are in NegOr to assess the situation in the affected areas and see the extent of the damages to infrastructure and other sectors.
A report received by the RDRRMC 7 from the Federation of Volunteers Through Radio Communication, Inc. (FVRC) stated that an estimated 80 to 100 families in Sitio Bloke, Barangay Sulonggon in La Libertad town, Negros Oriental are buried in landslide.
Teams of the FVRC in NegOr and Cebu are extending assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts, this is learned.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has dispatched four huey helicopters yesterday to help in the conduct of the continuing search and relief operations.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will also tap the services of the Philippine Air Force’s C-130 and the Philippine Navy vessel to bring relief and rescue operation equipment to areas heavily damaged by the earthquake. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-Cebu)
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DepEd cancels classes in Central Visayas
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY. February 9 -- All classes in public and private schools have been cancelled yesterday in Central Visayas to give time for the inspection of any damages to school buildings affected by the strong quake that hit the region.
Department of Education (DepED) – 7 Assistant Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon said that Director Recaredo Bigornia earlier issued ordered suspension of classes yesterday in both elementary and high school levels, so that respective school management and barangay officials could conduct inspections of school buildings in their areas for fitness and safe occupancy of the school children.
A school may be declared safe only by proper authority such as an licensed engineer. A certification shall be issued stating that the school building has not been damaged and that it is safe for occupancy by the school children, Dulangon said. Schools have no engineers in their employ.
The Dep Ed 7 official added damages to school buildings must be reported to them so that appropriate steps could be done.
Dulangon said Bigornia is in Manila today for an audience with President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III.
Teachers were also asked to inspect their classrooms for any defects, Dulangon said. Classrooms and building found to have major damage should not be used.
The same official also asked the principals and teachers that they should have a small transistor radio to monitor urgent news as what happened yesterday. (FCR/JSME/PIA-Cebu)