Davao quake death toll rises to 7

At least seven people were reported dead following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Davao and nearby areas on Friday, authorities said.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora personally turned over P1 million in financial assistance to Bogo City Mayor Maria Cielo Martinez yesterday to support relief and recovery operations, following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30.

As of yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 11 people injured and no missing persons.

Details on the fatalities and injuries have yet to be released, except that they are from the Davao and Caraga regions.

The NDRRMC said a total of 3,519 families, or 8,436 people, were affected by the twin quakes. Of these, 2,468 families or 7,915 individuals are currently staying in 29 evacuation centers in quake-hit areas.

Disaster response teams continue to assess the extent of damage.

So far, a total of 441 houses were damaged across 58 barangays in Davao Oriental, 15 in Davao del Norte, 14 in Davao de Oro and three in Dinagat Islands.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed 1,552 family food packs, 606 ready-to-eat meals and 969 nonfood items worth P3.75 million to affected communities.