MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Vice President Jejomar Binay flew to Negros Oriental on Tuesday to assess the damage left by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Binay noted that there is a water shortage in the town of Guihulngan, which he described as the worst-hit area in central Visayas.

“Iba talaga ‘yung napupuntahan mo ‘yung lugar para makita ang problema. Walang nagbabanggit dito na ang problema doon ay walang kuryente at ‘yung facility nila ng tubig [nasira]. Kailangan ng bayan na ‘yun ng tubig. Dahil kung walang tubig, magkukulang na din sa pagkain. ‘Yun ang problema,” he told ANC’s “Primetime”.

“Humingi talaga ang tao doon ng tubig. ‘Yung bigas walang problema dahil may NFA (National Food Authority) doon,” he added.

Binay said he is coordinating with the local government of Negros Oriental and government agencies to provide relief assistance to the victims of the earthquake.

He added that the province’s local government is doing its job to restore order in the area.

“Wala namang mayor o governor o congressman ang hindi aakto kapag may problemang ganyan,” he said.

Financial assistance

Binay also gave aid to families who lost their loved ones to the strong earthquake.

Binay gave P5,000 each to 20 families of victims who died in a landslide in Guihulngan City.

The vice president also offered his condolences to the victims and assured the affected families that assistance will be provided by the government.

"Mga kababayan, gaya ng sabi ni governor, huwag po tayong mag-panic. Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil ang pamahalaan, sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Noynoy [Aquino] ay narito at tutulong sa inyo," Binay said in a press statement.

"Nakikiramay po ako sa pamilya ng mga nasawi sa lindol. Salamat sa Diyos at kaunti lamang ang nasawi sa trahedyang ito," he added.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake left at least 22 people dead, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

More than 1,000 aftershocks have been recorded by state seismologists as of Tuesday afternoon.

According to Ishmael Narag, officer-in-charge of the Phivolcs' seismology division, more aftershocks could be expected in the coming weeks in areas near the epicenter.

PNoy to spend birthday in Dumaguete

President Benigno Aquino III will be spending his 52nd birthday on Wednesday in Dumaguete City to inspect the damaged areas and meet with the local government.

The President has been in contact with Negros Oriental First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong in providing relief assistance for the affected families.

A total of 400 bags of rice from the National Food Authority will be provided to the residents.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 7 office has already provided 2,000 family packs, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, boxes of canned goods, tents, mats, blankets and mosquito nets to the quake-hit province.