The Church is stepping up relief efforts to provide assistance to victims of an earthquake that struck Negros Oriental province on Monday.

San Carlos diocese on Negros Island is organizing relief groups to deliver food and water to thousands of people isolated after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit.

The quake destroyed or damaged bridges and buildings and triggered landslides in the Visayas region. The official death toll is put at 26 but rescuers say there is little hope of finding any of the 71 missing alive.

More than 1,500 families were also evacuated from their homes.

Father Edwin Laude, the social action director in San Carlos diocese, today said the diocese will issue a circular declaring a state of calamity in affected areas due to the “traumatic experience.”

“Parishes will conduct a second collection to help those in affected areas. Prayers of the faithful will also be recited at Masses for the victims,” he added.

He also said he went to Guihulngan City on Tuesday to assess the situation and give immediate assistance.

“Guihulngan is the only place accessible from San Carlos. The rectory of the parish priest there was completely damaged and the church is partially damaged,” he said adding there were around 70 evacuees in the church grounds as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino has issued assurances that the government is working hard to help those affected and return life on Negros Island back to normal.

Aquino spent most of his 52nd birthday yesterday inspecting areas badly damaged by the quake, talking with the residents and addressing the concerns of local officials at a meeting in Dumaguete City.