In the aftermath of the January 23, 2025 earthquake that struck San Francisco town in Southern Leyte with a magnitude of 5.8, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has announced plans to provide shelter assistance to the most affected families. The local government has been directed to assess the damage to homes to determine which families will receive priority for aid.
Lord Byron Torrecarion, the OCD Eastern Visayas Regional Director, emphasized the need for a detailed classification of damaged houses to identify those in dire need of repair materials. In discussions with Southern Leyte’s mayors, it was decided that local government units would collaborate with the Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte Second District Engineering Office to evaluate the affected residences.
According to data gathered by the OCD from local government units, the earthquake resulted in the total destruction of seven homes and partial damage to 253 others, with over 190 of these in San Francisco town alone. Torrecarion specified that the aid package would include 10 fiberboards and roofing materials per household.
In addition to housing concerns, the earthquake also impacted the local water supply. Mayor Benedicta Tiaozon of San Francisco reported significant damage to their potable water source. In response, the OCD plans to dispatch bottled drinking water to the area.
Furthermore, the OCD is addressing the psychological impact of the earthquake on the community. Teachers have requested psychosocial support for students who were traumatized by the event, highlighting the broader effects of the disaster on the local population.