CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, April 23 (NNN-PNA) – The municipality of Porac in this province on Monday night declared a state of calamity following the fatalities and damages caused by the powerful earthquake that hit some parts of Luzon.
Porac Mayor Carling dela Cruz said Vice Mayor Dexter Albert David and members of the Sangguniang Bayan conducted an urgent session to declare the town under a state of calamity to enable the municipal government to utilize its calamity fund for assistance to affected residents.
Nine people died in Porac and two in Lubao town due to the earthquake.
Dela Cruz said they will provide burial and other assistance to the affected residents.
The damage caused by the powerful earthquake at the departure area of the Clark International Airport on Monday. Photo courtesy of the Clark International Airport Corporation
Likewise, he appealed for help and support for the concerned government agencies and other local government units (LGUs) for the immediate retrieval of those still trapped in a collapsed supermarket.
“Kung meron po kayong pang-rescue para maalis yung mga debris. May nakakausap kami sa loob na naipit. Humihingi kami ng tulong (If you have equipment for rescue operation so that we can clear the debris. We were able to talk to those being trapped. We are asking for help),” the mayor said.
According to Porac rescue officer Omar Tolentino, there were four fatalities in the collapsed four-storey building which houses the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac.
Authorities confirmed that several people are still trapped inside the structure.
Rescue operations are ongoing. (PNA)
