By Liezle Basa-Inigo
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said initial estimate on the cost of damages for the national roads, school buildings, other public buildings, church and seven private old stone houses was 79,500,000.00.
Damaged infrastructures in Itbayat, Batanes brought about by magnitude 5.9 earthquake on Saturday.
(DPWH Region II / MANILA BULLETIN )
Wilzon Valdez, regional information of DPWH region 2 said that there were 10 DPWH engineers who were immediately sent to the island, and proceeded to conduct rapid damage assessment on both public and private damaged and affected structures.
Aside from the inspection of infrastructure, he said they also brought with them logistics and relief goods for the residents.
The DPWH personnel also waited for the President Rodrigo Duterte in Basco Saturday for the conduct of aerial inspection in Itbayat before returning to Basco for a briefing with government officials.
Meanwhile, Batanes Provincial Police continue to conduct search and rescue operation, especially in buildings that collapsed due to the magnitude 5.4 and 5.9 earthquakes.
They were optimistic that they could rescue more residents .
On the otherhand, the staff of Secretary Raul L Lambino of CEZA and OPANL reported initial delivery of assorted goods for Operation #Bangon Batanes via C130 at Tuguegarao airport in coordination with General Balao of Office of Civil Deffense.