State of calamity in Carmen after twin quakes

MANILA, Philippines – The municipality of Carmen, North Cotabato has been placed under a state of calamity after two magnitude 5.7 earthquakes struck the town on Saturday and Monday.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) placed the town under the said declaration Monday, June 3, after it suffered major damage to infrastructure from two quakes in the area.

The first quake struck Saturday, June 1, while the second one struck early Monday morning.

As of 2 pm Monday, 146 aftershocks, 10 of which were felt, were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Seven people were injured, and 141 families have been affected by the quake.

Damage to infrastructure and property is initially estimated to reach P63 million, and could rise as officials continue to assess the damage, OCD Region 12 operations chief Roy Durado was quoted in a report by the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that at least 141 homes, 4 school buildings, and 3 churches suffered damage. Two bridges were also damaged, while cracks were observed in major roads.

North Cotabato Gov Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said government engineers are checking all bridges along the Sayre highway, a major route connecting the province to neighboring Bukidnon, the PNA reported.

Financial assistance was provided to at least 46 of the affected families as of Monday afternoon. – KD Suarez/Rappler.com