Report and Disseminate the Information Regarding

the Serious Disaster

Earthquake in Abra, Philippines

July 2022

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Republic of the Philippines; Department of Agriculture (DA). The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

References: https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/4192/SitRep_No_09_Magnitude_7_Earthquake_in_Tayum_Abra_2022.pdf 

              https://www.rappler.com/nation/list-countries-offering-aid-luzon-earthquake-july-2022/

              https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180165

             https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180484

              https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1180444

              https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-stands-ready-reach-children-affected-philippines-earthquake

              https://ahacentre.org/flash-update/flash-update-no-03-m7-0-updated-from-7-3-earthquake-in-abra-car-philippines-29-july-2022/

              https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-abra-earthquake-flash-update-no-3-1-august-2022-3pm-local-time

              https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-earthquake-update-ndrrmc-phivolcs-ocha-dg-echo-echo-daily-flash-02-august-2022

                         Regarding the situation report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), a Magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the highland province of Abra on 27 July 2022, causing landslides and collapsing of structures. The earthquake’s epicenter was in the town of Tayum, Abra, with the plate tectonics felt in various intensities across Northwestern Luzon and its surrounding areas including Metro Manila.

                         On 28 July 2022, the provincial government of Abra declared a state of calamity, requesting immediate assistance from the national government for disaster response, relief, and support. According to NDRRMC, the total number of affected families has reached 109,009, equivalent to 421,728 persons, which are residents of barangays in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera regions. As of 2 August 2022, there are 163 roads and 11 bridges affected by the earthquake. One of the roads is assessed as not passable. A total of 48 cities/municipalities experienced power interruption/outage. Of which, power supply in all cities/municipalities was already restored. The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure of PHP 1,252,288,371.81 was incurred in Region 1, Region 3, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and National Capital Region (NCR).

                          According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the recorded damage of the recent earthquake to agriculture reached PHP 15,264,476. All of which were consisted of Abra.  A total of 50 agricultural infrastructure including irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, and farm structures account for the total cost of damage to agriculture. Tons of vegetables from the region are sold daily to Metro Manila and other parts of the country. However, the transportation of these produces is still unhampered as major roads are being cleared and reopened. The damage to irrigation systems is estimated at around PHP22.7 million in both Ilocos and Cordillera, while the infrastructure damage has reached PHP1.27 billion in several areas including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera, and the National Capital Region.

                          Regarding the countermeasures or policies to encounter this situation, both national and local governments have provided relief to the affected households. On 29 July 2022, the Department of Agriculture (DA) deploys Kadiwa on wheels to distribute highland vegetables to affected residents in Ilocos Region and Abra. Moreover, the Department of Agriculture coordinated with concerned National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and other Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) related offices regarding the impact of the phenomenon, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance. DA-CAR is currently conducting an ongoing consolidation of damage to agriculture and a price monitoring of agricultural commodities. There were no reported irregularities or drastic changes in prices and volume of agricultural commodities.

                          The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also set the safe spaces in the evacuation center for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) affected by the earthquake and released a total of 41,000 family food packs and non-food items to field offices in the Cordillera and Ilocos Regions. Furthermore, the government Search, Rescue, and Retrieval Cluster led by the military also deployed 55 Urban Search and Rescue teams to support rescue and clearing operations.

                          In terms of international support, on Tuesday, Foreign governments provide emergency assistance to aid relief efforts after a magnitude 7 earthquake strikes Abra province on July 27. The following are the compiled list of received foreign aid from foreign governments, different embassies, and international organizations:

                          Japan

                          On Friday, July 29, the Japanese government said it provided the following emergency relief goods through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, upon the request of the Philippine government which are Generators, Portable jerry cans, Tents, Sleeping pads, and Plastic sheets.

                          China

                          The Chinese government said on Friday, July 29, it was providing P10 million worth of emergency supplies to affected areas, along with the Philippines Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. Aside from this, the Chinese Enterprises Philippines Association also prepared P3.4 million worth of relief bags.

                          United States

                          The United States, through the US Agency for International Development and the International Organization for Migration, provided 3,000 shelter-grade tarps to support relief efforts.

                          European Union

                          The EU Commission on Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid said on Thursday, July 28, that its Copernicus satellite would aid in producing maps of Laoag, Bantay, and Dolores to help assess the extent of damage in the areas.

                          Australia

                          Australia, through the Ambassador, said it was monitoring the situation following the earthquake and keeping in contact with the Philippine government and partners to assess needs. It was also said that they are prepared to respond if needed.

                          UNICEF

                          As National Disaster Resilience Month in July comes to a close, the earthquake is a stark reminder of the need to continuously improve emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction in the Philippines – a country that is prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. UNICEF advocates for child-centered disaster risk reduction and placing children at the center of emergency preparedness and response efforts. UNICEF’s prepositioned emergency supplies are on standby to support the Government’s relief efforts and our teams are ready to be deployed to reach children and families in the affected areas. (UNICEF, 2022) 

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