OVER 1,800 houses were damaged following the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that hit the province of Abra, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Thursday, October 27, 2022.

In a situational report, the NDRRMC said that out of the 1,821 houses, eight were destroyed, while 1,813 were damaged.

It said 1,701 were in Abra, 68 in Ilocos Norte, 51 in Ilocos Sur and one in Cagayan.

The disaster bureau said 125 infrastructure, including health facilities, roads, government structures, cultural heritage, church, utility services facilities and schools, also incurred damage in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Abra and Benguet.

It said damage to infrastructure was estimated at P52.738 million.

The NDRRMC said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have conducted post-earthquake assessment and clearing operations, installed warning signs and barricades especially in damaged roads, and is continuously monitoring national roads and bridges.

A total of 18,478 families or 61,514 individuals were affected by the strong tremor, which happened on the evening of Tuesday, October 25.

It resulted in some families camping out in front of their houses pending the assessment on the integrity of their homes.

The NDRRMC said 22 families or 76 individuals remained in evacuation centers.

It said 44 individuals were injured due to the earthquake.

The agency said the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units have distributed assistance, including sleeping kits, food packs, as well as cash for individuals in crisis situation worth P207.9 million. (SunStar Philippines)