A situational report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 22 people died, 424 injured and nearly 190,000 people mostly residents of Regions 11 and 12 affected after two strong earthquakes shook Mindanao for two consecutive days.
Most affected are provinces such as North Cotabato where the quake was felt the strongest and most structures are made of weaker and less sturdier construction materials. A hotel collapsed and was ordered demolished.
The NDRRMC, in coordination with the Department of Social welfare, has been working round the clock lending assistance to about 4,800 affected families out of 37,000 families. Sources in Cotabato revealed that supplies of food stuff and water are insufficient and people prefer to stay where they are due to alleged incompetencies by some welfare workers.
While some of the affected people beg along highways, the DSWD warns those who lend help as this affects their field relief operations. DSWD and the NDRRMC want coordination of relief efforts.
