President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered an immediate, full-scale government response following a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani, Mindanao, on Monday morning.
In a statement issued shortly after the disaster, President Marcos assured the public that the national government is mobilizing all necessary resources to assist affected communities.
“I have directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately,” President Marcos said. “To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind.”
The administration has activated a coordinated, multi-agency strategy to handle the immediate aftermath of the quake and the subsequent tsunami warning:
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Rescue and Monitoring: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) are actively coordinating disaster response efforts and monitoring the situation across Mindanao.
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Relief Operations: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been ordered to immediately pre-position relief goods and ensure that evacuation centers are fully operational and ready to receive displaced residents.
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Infrastructure Assessment: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is on standby to assess damage to critical infrastructure, roads, and bridges, and is prepared to clear vital routes for emergency rescue operations.
Following a tsunami warning issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), President Marcos ordered the suspension of classes at all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice.
“The safety of our children comes first,” the President emphasized, noting that the Department of Education (DepEd) is working closely with local government units (LGUs) to manage the suspensions.
President Marcos remains in constant communication with regional offices and local chief executives on the ground to monitor the situation in real time. The national government stands fully committed to supporting Mindanao and will continue to provide regular updates as official assessments develop.
