MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Negros province has climbed to 34, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said 4 victims were dug out from a landslide in Jimalalud town, Negros Oriental on Thursday.

Four more fatalities were recorded in the towns of La Libertad and Guihulngan.

Ramos said the number of missing individuals still stands at 71 because the landslide in Jimalalud was not earlier reported.

Forty-two missing persons are from La Libertad while 29 are from Guihulngan, said Ramos.

Rescue, retrieval

Ramos said retrieval operations were suspended Thursday night due to rains and aftershocks.

“Ayon sa lecture ng Phivolcs, may posibilidad na gumuho pa ang lupa at patuloy pa din ang aftershocks. Bukas resume na naman ang operation sa Guinhulngan at La Libertad. Kung basa ang lupa at yumanig, kailangang umatras ang responders natin dahil baka gumuho ang lupa,” Ramos told ANC’s "Primetime."

He added that additional rescue units sent by the Philex Mining from Baguio, Apex Mining from Davao; and Atlas Mining from Cebu City as well as experts from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau are in the area.

A team from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also flew in to Negros to assist in the operation.

“We have enough responders in the area,” assured Ramos.

Food, water supply

Ramos said 4 boats from the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard have been deployed to distribute relief goods.

Farflung villages, meanwhile, are being reached through helicopters. However, Ramos noted that the relief work was hampered because of bad weather.

“Hopefully tomorrow, the weather will permit us,” he said.

Ramos also said the affected residents will be provided food and water supply from the Department of Social and Welfare Development.

He added that water purifiers were sent to the quake-hit towns to address the lack of potable water.

“These municipalities are along the shoreline kaya wala tayong problema na makarating ang mga barko doon,” he said.

“We are still hoping that there are survivors. So [we are conducting] relief, recovery and retrieval at the same time,” he added.