PRESS RELEASE          

Philippine Consulate General   
447 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94108

415-433-6666 ext. 313 (public information section)

*www.philippinessanfrancisco.org

SFPCG –Pr-04-2012

14 February 2011

UPDATE ON THE EARTHQUAKE IN NEGROS ORIENTAL

San Francisco, California – Following is the latest information  from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center  (NDRRMC) on the earthquake which hit Negros  Oriental on 6 February 2012 :

The number of casualties have reached 34 dead, 54 injured and 71 missing, as of 10 February 2012.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) recorded a total of 1,239 aftershocks as of 8 February 2012.  A total of 21 aftershocks were recorded on 8 February alone, of which 75 were felt. The highest magnitude of aftershock recorded on this day was 5.2.

The earthquake affected a total of 21,076  families or  93,397 persons.  There are currently  21 evacuation centers. PHILVOCS has advised residents whose houses were not damaged by the earthquake, to return to their homes.     

A total of three (3) bridges in Negros Oriental (La Libertad-1, Jimalalud-1 and Guihulngan-1) remain  impassable due to structural damage. One (1) road section along the Dumaguete North Road remains closed to vehicular traffic.

Cellular services (Smart and Globe) are back to normal in the quake-affected area.

The city of Guihulngan remains without electricity and water. Electric power to portions of La Libertad and Jimalalud was restored on 9 February.  As of 8 February, port operations in Negros Oriental are back to normal except for Guihulngan Port. The alternative port going to Guihulngan is Bolodo Port, which is 10 kilometers from the city proper. 

One important issue and concern  according to the Department of Health  is the scarcity of drinking water as a result of damage to Guihulngan’s water supply system which  is bound to have an impact on the health residents.

Meanwhile  search-and-rescue  as well as relief  operations  by the Philippine Government continue.  END