China donates P10 M for Batanes quake victims

MANILA, Philippines — China has donated P10 million for the victims of two strong earthquakes that recently jolted the island province of Batanes.

The amount is also intended to support efforts of the Philippine government to rebuild the province.

“The Chinese government expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the affected families. It decided to donate P10 million to help the victims return to their normal life, and the Philippine government in rebuilding Batanes,” the Chinese embassy in Manila said in a statement issued yesterday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that close to 3,000 people or 911 families were affected by the twin quakes that occurred early on July 27, with magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9.

China said under the leadership of President Duterte, Filipinos could overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.

Early this year, China donated $100,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance for victims of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that hit Pampanga on April 22.

Leni visits quake victims

Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday visited the victims of the Batanes quakes in Itbayat and called for a change in the engineering design of the province’s old stone houses. 

Robredo brought relief supplies, including medicine and drinking water donated by private organizations, to residents of the quake-hit villages of Santa Maria and San Rafael. She said transporting aid such as food and construction materials in the province is a challenge.

The Vice President said there is a need to retrofit the old houses so these could withstand not just powerful typhoons but also earthquakes.

She said the Navy could help transport building materials like steel bars.

Science Undersecretary and Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum Jr. said residents whose houses did not suffer damage could return home.

The cost of damage to Batanes infrastructure has reached P292.85 million, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

DPWH’s assessments conducted on Monday and Tuesday showed the damage included 978 residential and public buildings, as well as roads and slope protection structure in Barangays Sta. Lucia, San Rafael, Sta. Rosa, Sta. Maria and Raele, all in Itbayat.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sent relief goods and supplies to Batanes through its multi-role response vessels BRP Malabrigo and BRP Capones.

Aside from Malabrigo and Capones, PCG chief Adm. Elson Hermogino ordered the BRP Francisco Dagohoy, a multi-mission vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to transport relief goods to Batanes. 

Authorities found cracks in the Gabaldon buildings of the Ivana Elementary School, Chanarian Elementary School, Batanes National Science High School, Basco Central School and Uyugan Elementary School. – Helen Flores, Edu Punay, Janvic Mateo, Cesar Ramirez, Raymund Catindig