LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — More than 2,000 individuals in the province of Benguet are affected by the July 27, 2022 magnitude 7 earthquake that hit portions of Northern Luzon with epicenter in Tayum, Abra.
The Benguet Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office also reported three deaths and 21 injured due to the major temblor that occurred 8:43 AM of Wednesday.
As of 6:00PM on July 28, the PDRRMC data showed 735 families or 2,026 individuals are affected by the earthquake. There were 264 partially damaged houses and two totally damaged houses.
The report indicated that 46 individuals or 14 families are still inside the evacuation centers in Atok, Kabayan and Tuba while 39 families or 178 individuals are temporarily staying with their relatives or at churches in their communities.
The casualties were identified as Genial Aaron Pasiking Col-iteng Resty Emperador Tavas, and Florante Nagayos.
Col-iteng, a 27 year old construction worker and a resident of Pinsao Pilot, Baguio City, was killed on the spot when the building he was working in in Buyagan, Poblacion, La Trinidad collapsed during the earthquake.
The 32 year old Tavas was buried by the retaining wall he was working on along Marcos Highway at Taloy Sur, Tuba that collapsed.
Nagayos, 46, of Sebang, Buguias reportedly died of myocardial infraction allegedly caused by panic attack triggered by the earthquake.
Those injured are mostly victims of collapsed structures and landslides in the different municipalities.
On road condition, the Department of Public Works and Highways Benguet First District Engineering Office reported that Baguio-Bontoc Road on the Benguet side, Marcos Highway, and the Baguio-Bauang Roads are open to traffic but there are several areas with one lane passable.
The Congressman Andres Acop Cosalan Road along the Bokod and Kabayan towns are open but several areas are punched thru and one lane passable including the Benguet – Nueva Vizcaya Road which has a one lane passable along Ambuklao, Bokod.
For the roads under the Benguet Second District Engineering Office, the Governor Bado Dangwa Road has several areas with one lane passable and clearing is being done. The other major roads and bridges in Benguet are open to traffic.
Road clearing of the affected areas are being done by the local government units with the support of the provincial government, office of the Congressman, DPWH and private contractors.
Meanwhile, Governor Melchor Diclas dispatched the Provincial Response Team on Thursday morning to deliver relief goods initially for affected families in Kabayan and Atok. The PDRRMO continues to coordinate with the different LGUs and MDRRMOs to provide the needed assistance.
Immediately after the quake, Diclas ordered suspension of classes and work and tasked the PDRRMO to coordinate with the different MDRRMOs and other offices to look into the situation of the different municipalities. **JDP/RMC PIA-CAR
