MANILA, Philippines – Rescuers are losing hope of finding survivors from the 42 individuals buried under the rubble in La Libertad, Negros Oriental after Monday’s strong quake.

Lieutenant Colonel Leandro Ayup said search and retrieval operations are now being conducted in the landslide-hit Barangay Solunggun after authorities deemed that the chances of finding survivors are slim.

Operations were suspended Wednesday afternoon due to frequent aftershocks and persistent rain.

Rescuers are expected to resume their operations today with the arrival of heavy equipment that are expected to speed up the digging.

Miners lend help

Over 50 miners from 3 mining companies have arrived in the similarly devastated city of Guihulngan to assist in the digging.

Miners from Philex Mining from Baguio and Surigao del Norte; Apex Mining from Davao; and Atlas Mining from Cebu City arrived with several experts from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau – Region 7 to find the 29 buried victims in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City.

Relief ops hampered

Damaged roads and bridges have also hampered relief operations in the province.

Trucks filled with relief goods could not reach the devastated areas in La Libertad town and Guihulngan City, which were isolated after the Pangaluan bridge in adjacent Jimalalud town collapsed.

Relief volunteers could not even cross the river due to strong water current.

One of the stranded volunteers is the group led by Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria which was carrying P350,000 worth of relief assistance for the affected residents.

Gas station opens

A gas station has also resumed its operation in Guihulngan City.

Carlo Villarmente, station manager of Petron, said petroleum products will be available in his station everyday from 6 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The station is only powered by a generator. – reports from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News; and Dexter Ganibe, dzMM