Reported death toll due to Mindanao quake rises to 9

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday reported another death in Mindanao, bringing the total number of casualties to nine after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Mindanao on Nov. 17.

Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, NDRRMC spokesperson Edgar Posadas said all nine fatalities are still for validation. Most of the reported deaths are in Saragani (5), followed by South Cotabato (3), and Davao Occidental (1).

So far, 15 injuries were reported, 11 of them from Soccsksargen, while no one was missing.

The latest NDRRMC situation report said 12,885 individuals, or 2,489 families in 43 barangays were affected by the quake. The areas of concern are Davao Occidental, South Cotabato, and Sarangani where the effects of the earthquake were most felt.

It also said all bridges are already passable, but three roads in Soccsksargen are currently being cleared. Power supply has been restored in all 21 cities/municipalities that earlier lost their connection, the report also said.

Posadas said 826 houses were damaged in Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, and Sarangani. The number of damaged infrastructure, meanwhile, has reached 118 which are in Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, South Cotabato, and Sarangani.

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, during the Department of National Defense's budget hearing on Monday, said that schools in the affected regions reported damage amounting to around ₱152 million.

However, there are still no estimates on the cost of damage for other forms of infrastructure such as road networks and agriculture.

No area has declared a state of calamity yet based on the NDRRMC report, but Soccsksargen was placed under red alert status. This means that all disaster officials in the region must report to their headquarters 24/7.

More than ₱11 million worth of assistance has been provided to residents affected by the quake, which includes food packs, family kits, food items, and financial assistance, the agency added.