October 20, 2013 Update: Cebu, Bohol earthquake aftermath

Manila, Philippines - Five days after the traumatic earthquake that hits Cebu and Bohol, authorities said that death toll rises to 185. Also, as of 12:00 noon Sunday, October 20, 2013, PHIVOLCS recorded 2,078 aftershocks, 39 of which were felt, from October 15 7.2 magnitude quake. Below are the latest updates as we gather information from various sources.


Update Cebu, Bohol Philippines earthquake October 15, 2013
Philippine earthquake death toll rises to 185 | photo credit: thenews.com.pk 

Strongest aftershock

According to Phivolcs, the strongest aftershock happened at around 4:40 a.m. Sunday with registered magnitude of  5.1, with its epicenter 60 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City and a depth of 5 kilometers.

Phivolcs describes a magnitude 5 earthquake as one of moderate strength. Magnitude 5 tremors are felt over wide areas while some can cause small local damage near the epicenter.


Search and retrieval

Eduardo del Rosario, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said 9 people are still missing and 583 others were injured. He said that the number of affected population is 703,244 families or 3,542,281 people in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and Iloilo. Of the number, 22,816 families or 113,227 people are in 93 evacuation centers.

Related: Photos, Video: 7.2 earthquake hits Visayas Region October 15, 2013


PhilHealth to assist earthquake victims

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte on Sunday announced that according to PhilHealth, it shall provide benefits to all victims of the recent earthquake. Areas included are those declared under the state of calamity, Cebu and Bohol provinces, respectively. Benefits shall cover for hospitalization and for outpatient surgical treatment and procedures accorded to all affected. They will issue the appropriate guidelines at the soonest possible time.

State of calamity

Province of Bohol was declared under the State of Calamity with Resolution No. 453, Series of 2013. Also, the province of Cebu still under the State of Calamity with Resolution No.1 041-13.

Related: Beware of Cebu, Bohol earthquake donation scammers | How to Donate

Status of seaport and airport operations

All seaports in Cebu are now operational. But, Tagbilaran Bohol seaport is still closed to cargo vessels.  Official Gazette said that all airport operations resumed since October 15, 2013.


Classes still suspended in Bohol, Cebu

The local government unit (LGU) of Bohol Province has declared suspension of classes in all levels for the entire province from Monday, October 21 until Wednesday, October 23.

Cebu Provincial Governor Junjun Davide also announced that classes in all public schools in Cebu will remain suspended until its resumption on Monday, November 4. School administrators however have the right for the class suspension in private schools.
 


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