The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has started relief efforts for the families in the province of Abra and neighboring Northern Luzon areas severely affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake on 27 July.
Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s spokesperson, Atty. Reynold Munsayac, said the OVP President is “always with the people.”
Personnel from the OVP visited the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Bagued, Abra to deliver residents bottled waters, food packs, medicines and other supplies.
The OVP also delivered the same aid to the Abra Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
“Through the modest relief efforts of the Office of the Vice President, we would like to convey a clear and humble message to the good people of Abra — we are always with you. Abra has a special place in our hearts,” Munsayac said.
The relief operations in the area were led by volunteers from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police (PNP Abra), Inday Sara Duterte Ako Movement), and the OVP Disaster Operations Center.
The powerful earthquake that struck northern Luzon wreaked havoc in the province of Abra. A state of emergency has been declared throughout the region, leaving old houses, century-old churches, and other structures in heritage areas severely damaged.
According to the most recent National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council report, the number of households affected by the tremor has risen to 82,336 people, for a total of 314,161.