• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The One Negros Response Team, composed of relief and rescue personnel of the provincial government and several local government units, are now in Cebu to extend aid to areas devastated by the strong earthquake on Sept. 30.
As ordered by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the provincial government sent teams and assets with full logistical support on Friday.
Dispatched were two water tankers, two mobile water filtration trucks, an ambulance unit, a rescue truck, and two utility vehicles.
The collapsed structure search and rescue teams as well as medical personnel from the cities of Sipalay, San Carlos, Sagay, Cadiz, Escalante, Silay and Talisay were also deployed.
Donato Sermeno III, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, said that Cebu needs water supply and tents.
Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW) is also sending a water tanker, 200 carboys or huge plastic water containers, and relief goods to earthquake-stricken areas in Cebu.
The water lorry to be sent on Saturday is in response to the province’s call for immediate relief, specifically for areas in need of water, MDW said in a statement Friday.
Based on the latest report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, a total of 80,595 families or 366,360 persons across 106 villages in Cebu province have been affected by the earthquake.
Of the number, 365 families or 1,795 persons are in eight evacuation centers while there are 15,092 families or 75,227 persons temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
Various non-government organizations and volunteer groups from Negros Occidental also extended help to the affected residents.
Soldiers, policemen and firefighters from Negros were also sent to Cebu. | GB with PNA reports
