MANILA, Philippines – Relief assistance is pouring in for residents of isolated towns in Negros Oriental, which were affected by Monday’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Trucks of food, water, and medicines from Dumaguete City were sent to La Libertad and Guihulngan, two Negros Oriental towns which were badly-hit by the quake.

However, the relief operation is being hampered due to collapsed bridges and damaged roads.

“As you can see, we cannot really cross. We are bringing relief goods for Dumaguete City. We want to hit up to Guihulngan but it seems we cannot pass because of the destroyed bridges,” said Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagabarria.

In Poblacion, the military gets water from a river and distills it to distribute to residents who have to line up for hours.

“Naghintay kami na mabigyan kami at makainom kami ng tubig,” said one of the residents Mylene Maribao.

ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya also visited far-flung Barangay Maragondong and gave food to residents who lost their homes.

Landslide victims

Meanwhile, the search in Barangay Solunggun, La Libertad where around 40 people are believed to be buried continued on Thursday.

Authorities reduced the number of personnel after ordering a shift from rescue to retrieval operations.

Rescuers, however, said it's unlikely they will still find survivors, four days after landslide.

But Julius Bolu, who is looking for his 7-year-old child, said the rescuers' efforts are not enough.

“Dagdagan pa dapat nila, ‘yung heavy equipment pwede naman nila idaan sa tubig at gamitin ang Navy,” said Bolu.

Since Monday, only one body has been recovered and rains continue to hamper operations. -- Reports from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News; ANC