DND, military to play major role in Itbayat rehab: Lorenzana

FILE: Aerial photo shows the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake that hit Batanes recently. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas and a situation briefing with members of his cabinet and local government officials at the Basco Airport on July 28, 2019 to discuss disaster response measures in the aftermath of the earthquake. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — The defense and military sectors will be playing a major role in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation of quake-battered Itbayat, Batanes.

This was disclosed by Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked what assistance the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can provide to the Batanes quake victims.

“For the Itbayat victims of the recent earthquake, the following will be provided by the DND and military: 1. Search and rescue of the victims.

2. Transport of the victims from Itbayat to the Hospital in Basco. 3. Transport of relief goods and other supplies from Manila and elsewhere to Basco and then to Itbayat,” he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Monday.

Lorenzana added they will also be responsible for the transport of construction materials, intended for the repairs of damage government facilities and homes, from Manila and other places to Itbayat.

Aside from this, the DND and AFP will also participate along with other government agencies in the rehabilitation of the quake-battered community, he pointed out.

As this develops, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in its 8 a.m. Monday update on the Batanes quakes, said government health facilities sustained some PHP47 million worth of damages.

This can be broken down into PHP40 million for the damages sustained by the Itbayat District Hospital and another PHP7 million for Itbayat Rural Health Unit.

Also, a total of 15 houses were reported damaged by twin tremblors along with two schools on Saturday.

The number of affected families remain at 911 which is equivalent to 2,963 individuals residing in five barangays in Itbayat. The number of deaths remained at eight, there is one person still missing and 63 others injured.