President Marcos: 24/7 Davao quake assistance

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered government agencies to provide 24/7 assistance to those affected by Friday’s powerful earthquakes in Davao Oriental.

Cabinet officials, including Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon and Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Leo Magno yesterday visited Manay, Davao Oriental, the epicenter of the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes.

“The President’s paramount concern is the safety and well-being of our people in the earthquake-struck areas,” Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said in a statement yesterday.

The Cabinet officials checked on the condition and needs of patients at the Manay District Hospital, which sustained damage from the strong quakes.

They also attended an inter-agency meeting at the Kanato Hall, Subagan Tourism Complex in Mati City to fast-track response and rehabilitation efforts.

Gatchalian assured Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang that the DSWD has more than enough food and non-food items to sustain the province’s ongoing disaster response and will continue to augment supplies as needed.

He said the DSWD has already distributed 1,552 boxes of family food packs, 606 ready-to-eat food boxes and 969 non-food items, amounting to more than P3.74 million in total assistance to Davaoenos affected by the twin quakes.

Gatchalian also directed the setting up of enclosed family tents at the Manay District Hospital to serve as safer and more comfortable temporary shelters for patients and hospital staff.

Beyond immediate relief, Gatchalian said the DSWD’s standard operating procedures are also in place to extend financial assistance to the injured, cover medical bills, provide burial aid and support families who lost their loved ones.

Gatchalian said once the response phase concludes, the DSWD will roll out cash assistance for families with partially or totally damaged homes as part of the recovery and rebuilding phase.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte visited Davao Oriental to provide assistance to the victims of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) also announced yesterday that its Red Cross Medical Tent is now up and operational at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center.

 “A 10-bed emergency room complex was deployed to cater to incoming patients. The facility is now serving seven individuals in need of urgent care,” the PRC said in a statement.

To reinforce hospital operations, PRC chairman Richard Gordon mobilized six Red Cross volunteers to support medical staff, alongside a welfare desk to assist patients and their families.

The PRC said its humanitarian caravan response in Davao Region is also serving hot meals and clean water to families affected by the temblor. — Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva