Situation Report No. 1
25 April 2019, 7:00am
Leyte Center for Development, Inc. (#LCDe)
Background:
On April 23, 2019 around 1:37 PM, a magnitude 6.5 #earthquake jolted the Island of Leyte and Samar. According to PHIVOLCS, the strongest shaking was registered at PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) VI (Very strong) in San Julian, #Eastern Samar; Intensity V (Strong) in Tacloban City, Palo and Pastrana, Leyte, Catarman Northern Samar and Naval Biliran; and Intensity IV (Moderate strong) in some areas in Eastern Visayas.
Immediately after the earthquake, there was power failure in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and other parts of Leyte which was restored after a few hours.
As of 4 AM on April 24, a total of 64 aftershocks were reported by PHIVOLCS in different regions.
Current Situation:
Private and public infrastructures/establishments were partly damaged. Cracks in roads and bridges appeared although all remain passable. A small number of houses were totally and partially damaged in different areas in Eastern Visayas.
Some buildings that suffered visible structural damage are the ASIAN (Asian Development Foundation College), ACE Medical Center in Tacloban City and Gaisano Mall in Calbayog City, Samar.
Thousands of families were reported to have panicked in and around the communities in the region. Some communities in coastal areas were pre-emptively evacuated to higher grounds for possible tsunami. In Tacloban City, many people in the large buildings were hysterical from fear and confusion.
On April 24, 2019, Leyte Center for Development Inc. conducted a Damage Needs Capacity Assessment in several municipalities in Leyte and Samar. The Emergency Response Team coordinated with people’s organizations, barangay officials, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDRRMO) and the Office of the Civil Defense-Region 8 (OCD).
Below are figures gathered from people’s organization, MDRRMOs and Office of the Civil Defense-Region 8.
Figure 1. Damage to Shelter:
| City and Municipality | Number | Remarks |
| Eastern Samar | ||
| Jipapad | 4 | Total |
| San Julian | 2 | Total |
| Can-avid | 15 | Partial |
| Borongan City | 2 | Partial |
| Leyte | ||
| Tacloban City | 23 | Partial |
| Total | 42 |
Figure 2. Injured persons:
| Number | Name | Gender | Age | Address |
| 1 | Ricky Pabroa Y. Cahusay | M | 39 | Brgy. Baybay, Catarman, Northern Samar |
| 2 | Joseph Friolan Y. Carias | M | 46 | Brgy. Calachuchi, Catarman, Northern Samar |
| 3 | Ernesto Aseo Y. Ocenar | M | 42 | Brgy. Jose Abad Santos, Catarman, Northern Samar |
| 4 | Wilmar Milagracia | M | 48 | Brgy. Makiwalo, Mondragon, Northern Samar. |
| 5 | Nikki Osal Y. Bolando | F | 34 | Brgy. Irawahan, Catubig, Northern Samar. |
| 6 | Clarita Borden | F | Brgy. La Paz, San Jorge, Samar. | |
| 7 | Analyn Ibanez | F | Brought to Tacloban City Hospital. | |
| 8 | Annabel Patrimonio | F | 25 | North Hill, Tacloban City |
| 9 | Romea Perez | F | 24 | Tacloban City |
| 10 | Jesus Elacion | M | 38 | Brgy. Maslog Lawaan, Eastern Samar |
| 11 | Lorna Mabag | F | 47 | Calbiga, Samar |
| 12 | Jeomar Salonoy | F | 25 | Galutan, Catarman, Northern Samar. |
| 13 | Isabel Caris | F | 19 | Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar |
| 14 | Jomel Nalazon | F | 31 | Airport Village, Catarman, Northern Samar |
| 15 | Dionesia Mercader | F | 45 | Camilla Homes, Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar |
| 16 | Galiano Castillo Jr. | M | 21 | Brgy. Rosario, Northern Samar |
| 17 | Elsa Godino | F | 87 | Brgy. 3, San Julian, Eastern Samar |
| 18 | Nica Perez | F | 9 | Brgy. Pagbabangnan, San Julian, Eastern Samar. |
| 19 | Belenda Doctor | F | 60 | Brgy. 3, Jipapad, Eastern Samar |
| 20 | Yolanda Oros | F | Brgy. 1, Jipapad, Eastern Samar | |
| 21 | Liezel Pomarejos | F | 30 | Brgy. 3, Jipapad, Eastern Samar |
A total of 21 people were reported injured from different cities and municipalities. Most suffered minor injuries and were not admitted in hospitals.
Furthermore, cities and municipalities In Leyte and Samar on April 23-24 suspended government work and classes through issuances of Executive Orders. Also, some private establishments in Tacloban City, Leyte and Calbayog City, Samar suspended work and advised their employees to go home.
Government responses:
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Emergency Operations Center have been activated at around 2:00 PM, 23 April 2019. Monitoring and assessment in municipalities are ongoing according of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-R8). Additional information on damages continue to come in.
Currently, there is no humanitarian response as of yet from government and private institutions. Immediate support to identified families whose houses have been totally and partially damaged are needed.
Data sources:
- Damage Needs Capacity Assisment (DNCA) by LCDe.
- Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-R8) situational report No. 3, April 24, 2019.
- PHIVOLCS Facebook page.
- MDRRMO-Can-Avid situational report, April 24, 2019.
- RMN News Tacloban City.