Filipino photographers launch ‘Bayanihan Para sa Batanes’ to help Itbayat quake victims

MANILA, Philippines — A group of photographers launched an online fund drive called “Bayanihan para sa Batanes” to help the Ivatans affected by the two powerful earthquakes that struck on Saturday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded magnitude 5.4 and 5.9 quakes which occurred at 4:16 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., respectively, at Itbayat, Batanes on Saturday.

These quakes felt at varying intensities in the province of Batanes left eight people dead, one missing and 63 injured. Those who were hurt were immediately brought to the Itbayat District Hospital.

A total of 911 families or 2,963 individuals were affected by the tremors in five barangays of Batanes, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The council added that the two quakes damaged 15 houses, two schools and two health facilities in the area.

To help the Ivatans recover, some Filipino photographers are now selling their photographs online through the Facebook page “Bayanihan Para sa Batanes.”

“All proceeds will be given to Itbayat families in need,” photographer Paul Quiambao, one of the organizers of the donation drive, said. He organized the page with fellow photographer Ra Valderrama.

Quiambao also called on other photographers and artists who are willing to help to sell their photographs to help raise funds for the quake victims.

As of 3 p.m., the group of photographers already collected P50,000 cash for the victims.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC on Sunday afternoon said they have received 120 tents from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. They also received medicines and potable water from the Department of Health.

According to the NDRRMC, the DSWD central office, field offices and the National Resource Operations Center have stockpiles and standby funds amounting to P1.9 billion for all regions nationwide.

For Cagayan Valley, the DSWD has a total of standby funds and stockpiles amounting to P11.9 million.

At least 180 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 2.2 to 5.9 were recorded on Sunday morning.

The NDRRMC said they would ensure the integrity of the structures in Itbayat before residents return to their homes.