6 trapped as landslide hits town health center

Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna , Philippines  – Six female health workers were trapped after a landslide buried their municipal health center in Taytay town in Palawan at around noon yesterday, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Aurelio Trampe, Palawan police director, identified the six health workers as Nympha Poras of Barangay Talog, Josephine Henanda of Barangay Paglaong, and Elmie Durian and Criselda Satungcacan of Barangay Calauag, Marjorie Dacillo, and Chemelyn Gamarcha.

Reports reaching the regional police command here said the women were working in the municipal health center when soil from the mountain slope eroded due to incessant rains and buried the facility.

Trampe said employees of the municipal engineering office and members of the local police and the 413rd Police Mobile Group were still conducting a rescue operation as of press time to save the six health workers.

Trampe said the six women were still believed to be alive as they had sent text messages to their relatives.

Trampe said continuous rains since Tuesday could have triggered the landslide.  – With Cecille Suerte Felipe