A mass was held yesterday in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City that was attended bylocal officials and Governor Roel Degamo.
The landslide areas will now become mass graves for the bodies of the 61 missing victims. All retrieval operations in the landslide area of Barangay Solonggon in La Libertad and Planas in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental have been stopped after the chances of finding more bodies of landslide victims become too slim.
Degamor extended his condolences andapologies to the families of the victims whose bodies were not recovered.
He said it is now dangerous for the rescue groups considering the time element since the earthquake occurred.
He added that rescuers may endanger their health after being continuously exposed to decomposing bodies.
Officials said the constant rain and aftershocks have also contributed to the difficulty in the retrieval operations.
Degamo said he felt the sadness of the families but assured them that the provincial government will help them recover from the disaster.
Officials leading the retrieval have recommended the stop of operations following the entry of another low pressure area that also brought a lot of rains. It will also become dangerous for the rescue group since the soil in the landslide area isunstable.
Degamo thanked therescue groups, organizations, Philippine National Police and the Arm Forces of the Philippinesfortheir help to the victims of theearthquake.
As of yesterday, the Provincial Disaster risk Reduction Management Council reported a total of 48 bodies recovered of which 23 were from Planas in Guihulngan City, 9 in La Libertad, 8 in Jimalalud, 3 in Tayasan, 2 in Ayungon,2 in Manjuyod and 1 in Bindoy.*MA
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