President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to fast-track the reopening of all roads affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao to ensure the rapid delivery of relief assistance and the restoration of essential services, including electricity and water supply.
During an inspection of earthquake-damaged facilities in General Santos City, President Marcos emphasized that restoring access routes remains a top priority to enable government responders, utility crews, and aid providers to reach affected communities.
“We are working quickly to reopen all roads so our vehicles can access every area, deliver assistance, restore electricity and water systems, and bring government services back as soon as possible,” the President said.
As part of his assessment of the disaster’s impact, President Marcos visited General Santos High School and inspected damaged infrastructure, following an earlier visit to a local hospital. He said authorities are conducting comprehensive evaluations of schools, hospitals, and other public facilities to ensure public safety, particularly for students, patients, and personnel.
The President stressed the importance of thorough structural assessments by engineers to determine whether damaged buildings remain safe for use or require demolition and reconstruction.
“While some damage is already visible, we must ensure the safety of all structures. Engineers will conduct detailed assessments to determine which parts of the buildings can still be used and which may need to be rebuilt,” he said.
To support recovery efforts, President Marcos announced the release of financial assistance through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), including PHP 100 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the General Santos City Hall.
The President also assured immediate assistance to families who lost loved ones in the disaster, announcing that each bereaved family will receive PHP 50,000.
In addition, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will provide funding through the LGSF for infrastructure rehabilitation in Sarangani Province and South Cotabato, both of which sustained significant earthquake damage. The President noted that Sarangani Province was among the hardest-hit areas.
On the restoration of utilities, President Marcos reported that approximately 85 percent of power services have already been restored. Efforts are ongoing to fully reconnect affected communities, particularly those still inaccessible due to landslides and damaged roads.
Some areas remain without electricity as road obstructions continue to prevent engineers and utility personnel from reaching damaged facilities. Government agencies are working to clear these routes as quickly as possible.
Despite access challenges, relief operations have successfully reached isolated communities through alternative means. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed helicopters to deliver food, medicine, and other essential supplies to residents in affected areas.
The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety, recovery, and welfare of all communities impacted by the earthquake, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts to restore normalcy and rebuild damaged infrastructure.
