Officials in quake-hit areas in Cebu, especially in Bogo City, have shifted from rescue to relief operations as casualties in the 6.9 magnitiude quake was lowered from 72 to 70 on Friday.
Based on the information the Philippine National Police received, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano said search operations were stopped on Thursday as all injured and missing have been accounted for.
“ We are concentrating on relief and rehab operations, '' he said.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said he and Philippine National Red Chairman and former Senator Richard Gordon will return to Bogo City to supervise the setting of tent cities as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr who went to the city on Thursday.
Residents in Bogo and Medellin were seen sleeping on big plastic bags outside as shown in videos.
Dizon told Bilyonaryo News Channel that tent cities will be put in other areas damaged by the earthquake.
He said he will make sure that a family of six can stay inside the tent while their homes are being inspected for damage as aftershocks continue.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Friday that 559 were injured.
It added that 116, 496 families equivalent to 399, 012 were affected. The government has given P15. 7 million worth of assistance to affected families, the NDRRMC said. DMS