AN earthquake shook the province of Quezon on Thursday as relief efforts continue for thousands of families affected by the successive strong tremors more than a week ago in Mindanao.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the quake struck at around 4:52 a.m. near Jomalig, Quezon, but the agency’s Spokesman Mark Timbal said there had been no report of damage.
The temblor was felt at intensity 4 in parts of Quezon and Camarines Norte.
While aftershocks were being expected, Timbal said they were not expecting any damage, given that what hit Quezon was a low intensity earthquake.
Meanwhile, relief efforts continued for the families affected by the successive temblors in Region 11 and 12 as the Philippine Navy deployed one of its biggest vessels, BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602), to Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao in Davao to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).
LD-602 carried around 56 tons of assorted cargoes and equipment, which include mobile kitchens, cargo trucks and towable water treatment trucks from the 10th Infantry Division of the Army, Manila Water and Maynilad.
The deployment was made after Navy chief Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad issued his directive for the deployment of one of the largest naval assets to accommodate more relief goods and cargoes from Luzon and Visayas pickup points bound for Davao, and to provide humanitarian assistance and transport mission in the quake-affected areas in Mindanao.
The NDRRMC said in its latest report that at least 50,930 families or 254,473 individuals have been affected by the earthquakes in 274 villages in Regions 11 and 12.
Of the number, 8,265 families or 39,128 people are housed in evacuation centers, while 8,789 families or 43,945 individuals are being served outside evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC warned that Tropical Storm “Quiel” may intensify into a storm and will bring rains in the northern portion of the country although it will not make a landfall.