MANILA, Philippines - Seventy one people remained missing Wednesday following the magnitude 6.9 quake that struck the Visayas on Monday, authorities said.

The official death toll from Monday's earthquake still stands at 26.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 13 of the fatalities are from Guihulngan City, 4 are from Jimalalud, 3 each from Tayasan and La Libertad, and 1 each from Bindoy, Bais, and Ayungon, all in Negros Oriental.

Most of those went missing are from Barangay Solonggon in La Libertad.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded at least 1,239 aftershocks in the area as of Wednesday morning.

Aquino in disaster zone

President Benigno Aquino spent his birthday on Wednesday visiting areas damaged by the earthquake.

The President, together with some Cabinet members and his sisters Pinky and Ballsy, went to Guihulngan and La Libertad.

He asked Guihulngan Mayor Ernesto Reyes to reopen the city's market, so people will be able to buy food and other basic commodities.

The Health Department is also coordinating with the Philippine Air Force in airlifting those injured during the quake to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

The city's damaged water pipeline is also being fixed. Local officials said some parts of the city will have water supply by Saturday. - reports from ANC