1 month ago
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TACLOBAN CITY — Southern Leyte 2nd District Rep. Christopherson Yap said that preparedness remains the most important consid-eration in dealing with natural disasters and calamities.
Speaking during a press conference held on Friday at the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group, Yap expressed ap-preciation that some schools and establishments were able to execute earthquake drills.
"It is helpful that the drills are used in real-life situations, but other communities must implement these good habits," Yap told The Manila Times.
"We will be on the ground to perform an evaluation and endorse the recommendations so that the government may take the necessary actions," he added.
Yap also said that his office is now in contact with Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian to secure the necessary assistance for individuals affected by the earthquake.
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After the press conference, Yap carried out an aerial assessment in Southern Leyte, alongside the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Air Force, to assess the earthquake's damage.
OCD Eastern Visayas Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion said that seven houses were destroyed in the towns of San Francisco and Pintuyan, and 253 were partially damaged in San Francisco and adjacent towns.
Maasin City and other municipalities, including San Francisco, San Juan, Pintuyan, Liloan, Tomas Oppus, San Ricardo, Padre Burgos, Botoc, Macrohon and Libagon, have decided to suspend classes on Friday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that hit San Francisco, South-ern Leyte, has triggered 166 aftershocks as of Friday morning.
