Despite the death toll rising to four, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is not keen on declaring a state of calamity due to the magnitude-7 earthquake that struck Luzon provinces early Wednesday morning, July 27.
During a press briefing in Malacañang, Marcos said it was still not necessary to declare a state of national calamity as the extent of affected areas were limited to only two regions, one region shy of automatically declaring such a status.
"Generally, ang SOP (standard operating procedure) diyan, ang state of national calamity 'pag apektado ang tatlong region, automatic yun. Hindi naman naapektuhan ang tatlo (the standard operating procedure in declaring a state of national calamity is when three regions are affected, that's automatic). So far, we can say that it's Region 1 and CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), so I don't think it's necessary right now to declare a national emergency," Marcos said.
The President, however, said that if succeeding reports bare greater devastation than what have been initially reported, he might be compelled to declare a state of national calamity.
"However, depending on the information that comes back, I'm sure marami pa tayong mababalitaan, madami pang impormasyon na hindi pa nakarating sa atin, baka mangyari yun (we will receive more reports and information, it could happen)," he said.
"So, we have to wait for those reports but right now, hindi pa nangangailangan na magdeklara ng (it still not necessary to declare a state of) national calamity," he added.
At present, the death toll due to the strong quake reached four: two in Benguet, one in Abra, and one in Mountain Province.
Fifteen provinces across Regions 1, 2, and CAR were affected by the earthquake, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said.
Sixty individuals were also reported injured, mostly in Abra.
The President said he hopes the devastation would not extend to other regions, and that there will be no heavy downpour in the next couple of days so as not to aggravate the situation in the affected areas.
"Kinakatakutan namin baka umulan kasi (We're afraid what if it rains because) there'll be a great danger again of landslides," Marcos said.
He added that high-risk areas have already been identified, and authorities are monitoring for untoward incidents that might occur if heavy downpours lead to landslides or should aftershocks happen.
"'Wag sanang umulan (I hope it won't rain), at least for the next two days para makapag-stabilize tayo lalo na yung mga daan, para ma-inspection na rin yung mga bahay (so that we can stabilize the situation, especially on roads, and inspect houses) if they are safe to go back," Marcos said.
"Pero siguro hindi pa ngayon dahil (But maybe not now) even if there are structurally safe to return, magkakaroon pa tayo ng aftershocks, baka doon naman magkaproblema (because there might be aftershocks which could cause further problems)," he added.
For the meantime, he said, affected residents will have to stay in shelters for their safety, where they will be provided with food and other necessities.
At present, there are reported road closures in the affected regions, power interruption in Abra and Benguet, intermittent communication lines in Region 1, and landslides in some parts of CAR.
Marcos said the roads that were rendered impassable since the earthquake struck are expected to reopen within the day.