MANILA — Malacanang on Monday commended the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent for their outstanding work in providing much-needed assistance to quake-hit Myanmar. 

“Opo, nagkaroon po ito ng commendation at sila po talaga ay pinarangalan po dahil sa kanilang napakatapang na pagsagupa dito sa kanilang obligation at sa kanilang duty po. Kaya po ang lahat na nanggaling at tumulong sa Myanmar, kayo po ay aming pinasasalamatan. Kapuri-puri ang inyong mga ginawa,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Malacanang briefing.

PH humanitarian team returning home after mission in quake-hit Myanmar

The Philippine humanitarian team composed of 89 personnel from various government agencies and the private returned to the Philippines Sunday night following the completion of its mission in Myanmar, which was hit by a recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 3,600 people.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday confirmed the death of a second Filipino from a devastating earthquake in Myanmar.

The agency said it was "informed by the Philippine Embassy in Yangon of the positive identification of the remains of a second confirmed Filipino victim of the powerful 7.7 earthquake which hit Myanmar last March 28." 

DFA confirms second Filipino fatality from Myanmar quake

"The family of the deceased Filipino has been informed. They have requested media to respect their privacy in this very difficult time," the agency said.

"Out of respect for the wishes of the family, the Department is unable to provide any further details," it added.

Two Filipinos remained unaccounted for in Mandalay, Myanmar, the DFA said.

More than 5,200 buildings were destroyed in the March 28 quake according to official figures, leaving more than two million people in need, the UN says.

Many survivors in Mandalay and the neighboring city of Sagaing still lack working latrines and need to queue for drinking water, while the weather forecast for heavy rains has them fretting over their makeshift homes. - with a report from Agence France-Presse

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