Four Filipinos in Myanmar remain unaccounted for following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the Southeast Asian country on Friday, March 28, an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

A unilateral partial ceasefire to facilitate earthquake relief efforts was announced on Saturday by Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, which coordinates the popular struggle against the ruling military. The country's death toll from the disaster soared to 1,644.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, March 30, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said two of the four Filipinos were a husband and his wife residing in a building that collapsed during the quake.

All four unaccounted Filipinos are professionals, either working as teachers or office workers.

Meanwhile, De Vega said there were no Filipino casualties recorded in Thailand, where the strong earthquake was also felt.

The DFA official said Myanmar has been asking other countries for assistance. 

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon said it continues to conduct welfare checks on all affected Filipinos, and all Embassy communication lines remain open to provide them with assistance and support as it warned them of possible aftershocks.

"We also encourage continued communication with fellow Filipinos in your community to ensure each other's safety," it said.

The Embassy is also preparing to deploy a team in Mandalay for an on-the-ground assessment and direct welfare checks on Filipinos in the area.

"Arrangements are also being made to mobilize and distribute essential supplies and basic necessities to those in need, including possible evacuation routes for relocation or repatriation," it said.

For emergencies, the Embassy said it can be reached through the Assistance-to-National hotline +95 998 521 0991 or the official Philippine Embassy in Myanmar Facebook Messenger.

Humanitarian aid

The Philippine government has started mobilizing humanitarian assistance for Myanmar, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chairman Gilberto Teodoro said the Philippine government will be coordinating the Philippine response, with the assistance package expected to be deployed as early as April 1.

The focus, according to Teodoro, is to ensure immediate support for affected communities in Myanmar. 

"We stand in solidarity with Myanmar during this difficult time. The Philippines is ready to respond to the urgent needs of our neighbors, and we are mobilizing resources to provide assistance as quickly as possible,” said Teodoro.

For his part, Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the Philippines’ mobilization was in immediate response to the request of the Myanmar government for urgent assistance. 

This includes emergency search and rescue teams (with K9 or SAR dogs), medical assistance teams, medicines, medical equipment, emergency first aid kits, mobile generators, water sanitation kits, solar-powered lights, and temporary shelters such as tents and tarpaulin sheets.

For Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, Nepomuceno said Nay Pyi Taw Airport will serve as the primary entry point, while Yangon Airport may be utilized as a refueling site for aircraft.

Medical team

Nepomuceno said the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) from the Department of Health is on standby and is composed of 31 personnel. 

In addition, he said one light Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team each from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Apex Mining Corporation/First Gen-Energy Development Corporation (EDC) SRR Teams will total 80 personnel. 

This brings the grand total to 114 personnel, which includes two personnel from the Office of Civil Defense and Contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Diploma of the Philippine Air Force,” said Nepomuceno. 

He said the number also includes three members of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) requested by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) to travel to Myanmar by March 30.

“The Philippine government is steadfast in its commitment to providing assistance and support to those affected by this devastating crisis in Myanmar,” said Nepomuceno.

Stronger disaster preparedness

Senators are now pushing for a stronger disaster preparedness program in case the “Big One” strikes the country.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) should conduct a thorough assessment of the structural integrity of public infrastructure across the country.

“The recent Myanmar earthquake and the collapse of the Isabela bridge are wake-up calls to reassess the country’s disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said there is a pressing need to fine-tune the government’s disaster preparedness program in anticipation of a strong earthquake, noting that the Philippines is located along several fault lines, including Marikina in Metro Manila.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said: “This is a lesson to us. Since we are in the ring of fire, that means we are more prone to experiencing strong earthquakes.” 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has issued a message of sympathy and support for ASEAN neighbors Myanmar and Thailand.

"Today, we grieve with the people of Myanmar and Thailand, who are enduring the unimaginable pain and loss brought by the powerful earthquake that struck their lands," Romualdez wrote on Facebook.

Myanmar quake death toll rises to 1,644 

The number of injured increased to 3,408, while the number of missing persons rose to 139.

In neighboring Thailand, the death toll rose to 17. The quake rocked the greater Bangkok area, home to around 17 million people, and other parts of the country. Many places in the north reported damage, but the only casualties were reported in Bangkok.

Of the death toll, 10 were killed in the high rise building near the famous Chatuchak market that collapsed, while the rest were killed in seven other sites. Authorities in Bangkok said 83 people were unaccounted for.

On Saturday, more heavy equipment was brought in to move the tons of rubble, but hope was fading among friends and relatives.

In Myanmar, rescue efforts so far are focused on the major stricken cities of Mandalay, the country's No. 2 city, and Naypyitaw, the capital.

The earthquake struck midday Friday with an epicenter not far from Mandalay, followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4. It sent buildings in many areas toppling to the ground, buckled roads and caused bridges to collapse. (With reports from Aaron Recuenco, Hannah Torregoza, Ellson Quismorio, and the Associated Press)