DAMAGES from the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Leyte on July 7 has been initially estimated at P52 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported yesterday as a 5.4-magnitude tremor again rocked the province mid morning.

Two people died in Friday’s earthquake, while the number of injured has gone up to 329 as of 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. The NDRRMC also reported an increase in road sections and bridges damaged to 14 and 10, respectively.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s tremor was felt strongest in Ormoc City, which was also one of the hardest hit by the July 7 earthquake.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has confirmed that it was an aftershock from the 6.5-magnitude earthquake.

Intensity VI was felt in Ormoc, followed by Kananga with Intensity V. The cities of Mayorga, Tacloban and Mandaue felt Intensity IV; Loay and Jagna in Bohol, and Cebu City, Intensity III; Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu and Cadiz, Negros Occidental, Intensity II.

Meanwhile, a full complement of Cabinet Secretaries and representatives met with local government officials yesterday in Ormoc City for a situation briefing and to discuss the relief and rehabilitation plan.

The meeting, presided by Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, DND, was attended by, among others, Ormoc City Mayor Richard I. Gomez and Kananga Mayor Rowena N. Codilla. Both Ormoc and Kananga have been declared under a state of calamity.

Mr. Gomez stressed their need for clean, potable water, particularly for evacuees whose homes have been damaged.

The National Economic and Development Authority assessed that the energy situation needs to be addressed immediately to minimize impact on the economy.

The Department of Energy has earlier assured that repair works are being undertaken round the clock to restore supply in the province.

In Metro Manila, Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James E. Purisima said in an interview with ANC that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lead a region-wide earthquake drill from July 14-17.

“We will have scenarios, the MMDA has come up with scenarios that will be implemented to test the readiness and the capacity of all local government units here in Metro Manila,” Mr. Purisima said. — Jil Danielle M. Caro with a report from Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

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