MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from the 6.9-magnitude quake that rocked Negros Oriental climbed to 39 after more bodies were recovered from La Libertad on Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said five bodies were retrieved from separate landslides in Planas village in Guihulngan City and Solongon village in La Libertad town.

Ramos said one of the victims pulled out from the debris in Planas was a headless woman.

A total of 71 individuals are still missing, according to Ramos.

Ramos said two survivors trapped inside their home in Kagawasan village, Guihulngan City were rescued on Friday. They were immediately brought to a hospital in Dumaguete City via helicopter.

Ramos said they are hopeful that more survivors from the twin landslides will be rescued. However, he admitted that the chances of finding survivors are slim.

The rescue and retrieval efforts were suspended on Thursday to spare the workers from potential landslides due to rains, coupled by aftershocks.

Since Monday, volcanologists have recorded more than 1,400 aftershocks.

Relief goods

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, assured the quake victims in Negros province that more aid is on the way.

DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji told ANC on Friday that the agency is ready to release more funds to procure more relief supplies.

She added that they are coordinating with the military and local government officials for the quick delivery of aid.

“We checked the report, as far as the DSWD is concerned, we can procure enough relief goods in the area. Secretary Dinky Soliman has ordered the region to make sure that all shipped goods from Cebu and Manila will be brought to areas where the families can claim them,” Taradji said.

“We provide relief packs good for 3 to 5 days. Families will have to claim their supplies at the nearest DSWD office or any distribution center,” she added. -- With a report from ANC