Noy on rest in army tent in Bohol: 'Like taking a vacation'

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III again visited the quake-ravaged Bohol province and stayed there overnight inside a military tent.

After arriving and checking Loon town on Wednesday, Aquino claimed that he slept on an army folding bed and had a camp-like experience.

"Ang dami nating nakitang damage throughout Bohol pero doon sa tinulugan namin kagabi malapit sa dagat, nakita natin 'yung linis ng tubig, nakita natin 'yung potensyal ng turismo," Aquino said at a televised press briefing on Thursday morning.

"Ewan ko kung pwedeng masabing parang nakatikim tayo ng kaunting bakasyon kagabi," he added.

But Aquino also expressed concern for the quake evacuees who are also staying inside the tents. He said these people may be exposed to diseases, which can be prevented if they are permitted to go back to their homes.

The President urged local officials to ensure that the houses of the affected residents are already safe to return to.

"Paaral natin sa mga dalubhasa kung ligtas na. Dapat sana mabalikan na ang mga tahanan," he said.

Aquino returned to the devastated province to assess the situation on the ground and distribute relief goods to the victims of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that jolted Bohol province and Central Visayas.

The President said he personally experienced one of the quake's aftershocks on Wednesday dawn.

However, he echoed the opinion of state volcanologists and other officials that there is "no immediate danger" in any portion of Bohol.

The powerful earthquake that hit Sagbayan, Bohol on October 15 has so far killed nearly 200 people and damaged roads, bridges and public buildings worth over a billion pesos.

More than 2,000 aftershocks have been recorded by authorities.