THE National Government will send additional five water purification and filtration systems to Surigao to solve the water woes in areas hit by powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake last Friday, February 10.
"Meron na tayong isang water purification and filtration system doon sa area at hopefully, it's either today or tomorrow dumating na din doon ‘yung additional na five na may kasamang teams na mag-ooperate nun," National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesperson Romina Marasigan said.
She noted that the supply of potable water remains a serious problem in areas affected by the earthquake.
"Itong filtration kahit galing sa ilog or kanal ang tubig pini-filtrate para paglabas maging drinking water na," Marasigan said.
She added that aqua tabs are also available to somehow ease the problem on lack of drinking water for the affected population.
However, she said the arrival of the water filtration systems and its operators will depend on the availability of the C130 aircraft, which will carry the items to Surigao.
Meanwhile, Marasigan said tents, blankets, plastic mats and food packs were already distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to the affected population.
She said there are no evacuation centers installed since families prefer to camp out near their damaged houses.
"Wala tayong balita ng evacuations kasi karamihan 'yung pinadala nating tarpaulins at mga tali ginamit nila para mag camp-out sa mismong tabi ng kanilang bahay, gusto kasi nilang nababantayan ang bahay nila," said Marasigan.
Damage to infrastructure
Marasigan said initial assessment on damage to infrastructure was pegged at P108.45 million.
She said engineers from the Department of Education and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers are conducting assessment in the area to identify the establishments that are no longer safe to use.
"Tinitignan din natin ang posibilidad ng pagtatayo ng temporary learning centers dahil ayaw naman nating madisrupt ang pagaaral ng mga kabataan sa lugar," said Marasigan.
However, in the Caraga Regional Hospital, patients on the medical wards remain in the tents as the hospital buildings are still being inspected.
In its report, the NDRRMC said a total of 1,034 houses were damaged, 155 of which were wrecked.
It said of the 211 barangays that experienced power interruption after the earthquake, only 16 remain unrestored.
Meanwhile, Marasigan denied that there were people trapped in a building that collapsed, particularly in Barangay Washington.
She said no missing person was recorded due to the earthquake.
Death toll due to the earthquake remains at eight. (VoxPop Philippines)
