The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deployed an 18-man team that will assist in the conduct of disaster response and relief operations in areas heavily devastated by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu on Tuesday night.

MMDA chairman Don Artes said the agency’s teams are composed of personnel from the Public Safety Division and Road Emergency Group which are tasked to provide assistance to all affected residents and support immediate relief and recovery efforts in disaster-hit areas.

“The team will clear debris on roads that impede mobility and accessibility,” Artes said.

Earlier, police forces and the land Transportation Office LTO) personnel were tasked to help ensure fast movement of relief items and equipment in Cebu due to debris that blocked the roads from establishments that collapsed.

Aside from relief operations, authorities are also conducting massive search and rescue operations in areas where people were believed to have been buried as a result of establishment collapse.

At least 69 people were already confirmed dead from the quake.

“We also deployed K9 dogs to assist in earthquake response and rescue operations. They are trained to locate people trapped under rubble or debris using their sense of smell,” he added.

Artes said the MMDA contingent is equipped with solar-powered water purifiers to provide clean water, life locators, battery-operated extrication equipment, trauma bags, and various clearing tools, including chainsaws and dump trucks.

Trained rescuers, he said, will remain for an undetermined number of days to assist in the ongoing rescue operations as long as needed.