Manila: The number of houses damaged by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu, and nearby provinces on Sept. 30 has reached 62,531, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday. This natural disaster has significantly impacted the region, with thousands of families facing the aftermath.

According to Philippines News Agency, the latest situational report from the NDRRMC indicates that 57,677 houses have been classified as "partially damaged," while 4,854 are considered "totally damaged." All of these damaged houses are located in Region 7, also known as Central Visayas.

The earthquake has affected 179,252 families, which translates to 669,794 individuals across 245 barangays in Region 7. The number of confirmed deaths remains at 72, with 559 people reported injured. The NDRRMC is still in the process of validating these figures and has yet to provide estimates on the damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

Humanitarian assistance efforts are underway, with a total of PHP146,058,763.65 in aid, consisting of both food and non-food items, having been distributed. Additionally, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided family food packs to 225,864 families, aiming to alleviate some of the burdens faced by those affected by the earthquake.