Upland communities displaced after Mindanao quakes

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 5) — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is still assessing the damage of the recent Mindanao quakes, but they already have estimates for displaced families.

According to NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad, approximately 2,000 families have been displaced from the upland communities from Makilala, North Cotabato.

Some of these families are among the 28,000 people that are currently in evacuation centers.

The agency is still coming up with the official full assessment of damages from the back-to-back October 29 and 31 quakes.

"As of now wala pa tayo sa (we don't have an) assessment sa (on the) cost of damage," Jalad said.

For now he advised people to donate through official channels like the NDRRMC and the local government units. He also discouraged individuals from giving relief goods to beggars.

He added that there is a need for shelter materials, shelter kits, food, water, infant care items, and water in evacuation centers.

"May problema sa supply ng tubig kasi 45% lang ang generated ng Makilala Water District ngayon," Jalad said.

[Translation: There's a problem with the water supply because the Makilala Water District can only generate 45% of what is needed today.]

The magnitude 6.5 earthquake on October 31 triggered landslides that destroyed major pipelines in Cotabato.

READ: Cotabato towns face water shortage

Manila water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad have sent mobile water treatment plants to alleviate the water shortage in North Cotabato.

Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority (NHA) is preparing to make permanent housing for people who have lost their houses in the quake.

"We feel mas maganda (this is better), it will level up intervention long term," NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr. told CNN Philippines Tuesday.

Based on their initial assessment, approximately 20,794 families need new housing.

The DepEd, on the other hand, has released support funds of ₱900,000 and 59 temporary learning spaces to affected regions in Mindanao. According to its latest assessments, the quakes affected 3,326,822 students.

Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways said that the major roads in the earthquake-hit areas are now passable. They are also inspecting damaged structures for compliance to building codes.

CNN Philippines' correspondent Makoi Popioco contributed to this report.