DSWD-Caraga monitors quake victims in Surigao del Norte

MANILA –The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday its office in the Caraga region has activated its quick response teams (QRT) to monitor the status of victims of the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Surigao del Norte province Friday night.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said they have conducted a video conference with Caraga’s disaster officials to discuss efforts to help affected residents.

Taguiwalo said DSWD-Caraga has prepositioned 8,258 family food packs in areas that are difficult to reach and is verifying the number of evacuees. She assured that the regional office has a standby fund of PHP2.89 million, while the regional warehouse has a stockpile of 14,637 family food packs.

According to Surigao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, Ramon Gotinga, the quake has killed six people, wounded 126 others, and damaged the runway of the Surigao City’s airport and several buildings and structures. A power outage also engulfed a large part of the city.