By John Clifford Lintao
CATAINGAN local government unit in Masbate province could not possibly help local folks over the sad plight they had after being hit by a strong earthquake – even if they wanted to.
According to Cataingan Mayor Felipe Cabataña, the town has no funds to aid the victims of Tuesday’s magnitude-6.6 earthquake because they have no more money to do so.
As such, Cabataña appealed to the national government for funds to help the affected residents.
“Kung maaari sana ‘yung pananawagan ko sa national government na sana tulungan kami kasi ang pondo namin sa calamity halos naubos na sa COVID,” Cabataña said.
“Hindi naman kami mag-aasa na may lindol na darating kaya hindi namin nalagyan ng allocation ‘yung ganitong klaseng kalamidad kaya medyo nahihirapan ang tao,” he added.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake on Tuesday hit Cataingan, Masbate at 8:03AM quite a sizeable number of structures to collapse and sustain damage.
As of this posting one died after being buried under the rubble of his house which collapsed due to the strong earthquake. The fatality is identified as retired policeman Gilbert Sauro of Barangay Concepcion.
More than 20, meanwhile, were injured, according to the Office of Civil Defense.
After the strong tremor, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded at least 14 aftershocks, compelling residents to stay outside their houses.
The strongest aftershock was pegged at magnitude 5.2 which occurred Wednesday morning.
Cabataña asked for donations, which include tents to provide temporary shelter for residents.
Aside from houses, the quake caused damage to Cataingan ports prompting the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to suspend its operations, to the detriment of Cataingan whose economy heavily depends trade with Cebu City through these ports.