Negros-Cebu Quake: SMART public advisory

Smart Public Advisory: Smart Prepaid & Talk 'N Text subscribers in the earthquake-affected areas of Guihulngan, Tayasan, Jimalud and La Libertad Negros Oriental will receive 30 free text messages and 3 minutes of free calls valid for 24 hours today, Feb. 15. They can use these credits to call and text other Smart and Talk 'N Text subscribers all over the country. This emergency communications assistance is Smart's offering to its subscribers who have been affected by the earthquake so that they can contact their loved ones.

[from smart communications page]

NEGROS-CEBU QUAKE: Smart Communications Advisory

Smart Advisory: We are now on our third day of providing Libreng Tawag services to our countrymen affected by the Negros Oriental earthquake. Please help us inform everyone that Smart Libreng Tawag operations are ongoing at Guihulngan National High School, Guihulngan City Hall and Tayasan evacuation center. We are also with the National Telecommunications Commission in offering free calls at La Libertad. Smart is now coordinating with various partners and government agencies for the immediate distribution of aid to affected residents. Thank you very much. Let’s hope and pray for everyone’s safety.

Smart Negros Oriental Operations Update: These trucks contain 7,000 6-liter bottles of distilled drinking water from Smart Communications, Inc., the PLDT-Smart Foundation, and 1,500 from Coca-Cola thru the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR). 


These were turned over by Smart to the local government through Rep. Josy Limkaichong whose district is the most affected by the recent earthquake. Scarcity of drinking water remains to be a problem in the severely-affected areas of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Tayasan and Jimalalud and these donations are now being transported and distributed to our kababayans in Negros Oriental through the help of the LGU and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 


We are still offering free calls and free charging to affected residents today. We also partnered with the office of Gov. Roel Degamo in providing assistance and communications support to the relief operations center.

[from smart facebook page]

EARTHQUAKE ALERT: Cebu-Negros

A 6.8 earthquake just hit the Visayas Region this morning with the epicenter at 72 KM North of Dumagete City in Negros Island.  According to Pacific Tsunami Warning Center there is no Tsunami warning levels but wants to practice caution:

NO DESTRUCTIVE WIDESPREAD TSUNAMI THREAT EXISTS BASED ON
 HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI DATA.


 HOWEVER - EARTHQUAKES OF THIS SIZE SOMETIMES GENERATE LOCAL
 TSUNAMIS THAT CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE ALONG COASTS LOCATED WITHIN
 A HUNDRED KILOMETERS OF THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER. AUTHORITIES
 IN THE REGION OF THE EPICENTER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS
 POSSIBILITY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.


THIS WILL BE THE ONLY BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.


THE JAPAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY MAY ALSO ISSUE TSUNAMI MESSAGES
FOR THIS EVENT TO COUNTRIES IN THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC AND SOUTH
CHINA SEA REGION.  IN CASE OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION... THE 
MORE CONSERVATIVE INFORMATION SHOULD BE USED FOR SAFETY.  


(from PTWC)


Two other after shocks, a 5.6 Magnitude earthquake, and 4.8 Magnitude earthquake were also recorded with epicenters also near the original. No official numbers of damage and casualties were reported yet many expressed and reported the event online via social networking sites.


Update:


Death Toll now is 12 reported deaths however latest reports from the military raised the number to 43. Schools and Offices were suspended on the aftermath. There were incidents that people panicked due to the "news" that a tsunami would hit the cities and other coast areas in Negros and Cebu. 

Meanwhile, Phivocs also issued a Tsunami Alert Level 2 for costal areas near Negros Oriental and Cebu. The public is advised to be alert for unusual waves. As of 2PM the Tsunami alert has been lifted.


If you are living in the said areas of Panay, Negros, Cebu and Bohol and felt the tremors, do contact local authority for help and report any damages. As much as possible, keep away from weak structures and if not seek refuge on strong tables and keep you head covered.
Panic buying will also occur, so do an inventory of your resources first just to know what you need to keep. Most importantly remember to stay calm as aftershocks will indeed follow until next week. 


We at AKSYON PILIPINAS will also post information from affected areas as our commitment to help our fellow men in this times of tradgedy .