Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that all airports and seaports in Mindanao and even in Visayas are operational following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental Friday morning.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure all airports and seaports are operational to do emergency air and sea transport missions, transporting humanitarian aid to disaster affected areas.
“Pagdating sa ating mga ports, ang lahat ng pantalan ay operational po ngayon. Pagdating po sa lahat ng paliparan ay puwedeng bumiyahe [lahat ng airport] kasama na ang Davao Airport,” said Acting Secretary Lopez.
Acting Secretary Lopez also directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to continue monitoring and observing airport and seaport facilities and structures, especially in the event of aftershocks.
The acting transport chief said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has instructed its deployable response group to assist in search and rescue missions, especially of residents affected by the earthquake.
Commuters and motorists, meanwhile, are being assisted by personnel from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Davao to ensure road and commuter safety.
Love Bus free rides were provided to stranded commuters, bringing them to their respective destinations.
“Nakadeploy na rin po ang ating mga LTO enforcers kasama na rin ang LTFRB kung kailangan natin magbigay ng karagdagang sasakyan [para sa mga stranded na commuters]. Pagdating sa Davao, ‘yung Love Buses, we authorized them to help our commuters to divert from their original route para mabigyan ng sasakyan ang mga naapektuhan sa lindol,” Acting Secretary Lopez said.
The acting transport chief also ordered the postponement of the Siargao International Surfing Cup 2025, which is scheduled on October 23 to 31.
