Doctor: Quake-hit areas
badly need hospital help
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Residents of earthquake hit areas in Negros Oriental not only need food and water, they need hospitals and medical supplies.

Earthquake-injured patients, some in very serious condition in Guihulgan, Negros Oriental, had to be treated outdoors in a makeshift hospital short on supplies and sanitation.

That is because when the magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit at 11:49 a.m. Monday, the walls and floors of the Guilhulngan District Hospital cracked and parts of its ceiling came falling down, Dr. Hugh Parsons told the DAILY STAR.

The Negros Occidental Sanggunian yesterday approved P500,000 in assistance to the Negros Oriental earthquake hit areas, Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. said.

Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday also joined the call of Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra for assistance for the victims of the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Negros Oriental.

Benitez said he is filing a resolution in the House today calling on his colleagues to donate what they can to help Negros Oriental, noting that Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong whose district was badly hit has been very vocal in asking for assistance.

The Bacolod Cares Program of the city will continue to accept relief goods for the victims of the February 6 earthquake in Negros Oriental, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday.

The Bacolod City Risk Reduction and Management Office recently reactivated the program through which the city government sent its donations to the victims of typhoon Sendong in Cagayan, Iligan and Dumaguete cities last year.

Leonardia said this is on voluntary basis and they will appreciate any donation for the victims of the earthquake.