Marcos monitors quake-affected areas during APEC summit

MANILA, Philippines — While at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' summit in San Francisco, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains involved in overseeing  the situation in the Philippines following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Davao Occidental.

During a forum in San Francisco, Marcos gave updates on the government's ongoing response to the earthquake, emphasizing the coordinated efforts of key agencies such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in assessing the situation in Davao.

He praised government agencies for their quick response in monitoring affected areas without waiting for direct orders.

“I’m happy to be able to say that the government agencies do not need directives from me anymore. They know what to do. Nagrereport sila sa akin kung ano ba talagang nangyari and what are the initial reports,” Marcos said during an interview with the media.

(I’m happy to be able to say that the government agencies do not need directives from me anymore. They know what to do. They are updating me on the events and the initial reports.)

When asked about the possibility of ending his US visit early, Marcos expressed his readiness to return if necessary.

He said that structured protocols are in place for emergency responses within the government.

“Well, if there’s something that needs to be done that cannot be done by anybody but myself, I will go home,” Marcos said.

“But as I said, alam na nila ang gagawin. That’s my hope – we tried to organize the government in such a way that these are standard operating procedures already. You don’t have to question what do we do next, nakasulat na lahat ‘yan,” he added.

(But as I said, they know what to do. That’s my hope – we tried to organize the government in such a way that these are standard operating procedures already. You don’t have to question what do we do next, everything's already outlined.)

As of Saturday, the death toll from the earthquake off the southern Philippines rose to seven.