Kidapawan businesses lose P3 billion to quakes

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines —  Economic losses due to the powerful quakes which hit Mindanao last month was initially estimated at P3 billion in Kidapawan City alone.

Psalmer Bernalte of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the closure of commercial establishments to allow authorities to assess the damage and check the structural integrity of buildings was a big factor in the losses.

Among those affected are shopping malls, grocery stores, banks, restaurants and other food outlets.

Bernalte said the owners of a commercial building along the Cotabato-Davao Highway reported losses of around P1 billion when a strong aftershock destroyed the structure on Oct. 31.

The National Disater Risk Reduction and Management Council said 34,482 structures were damaged in Soccsksargen, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula, Davao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Red Cross

Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to provide relief goods and other assistance to quake victims.

As of yesterday, the PRC had mobilized 422 volunteers, staff and youth to man first aid stations in Kidapawan, Davao del Sur and General Santos City and distribute tarpaulins  in Davao del Sur, General Santos City and North Cotabato, and water containers in Davao del Sur.

PRC chairman and Sen. Richard Gordon said the PRC installed a temporary shower room in an evacuation center in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; distributed water, food items, sleeping and hygiene kits; put up portable toilets and welfare desks; deployed water tankers, ambulances and water treatment units, and administered psychological first aid to other victims at evacuation centers in affected areas.