Upon the immediate directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., a coordinated, whole-of-government response was swiftly deployed to the Davao region in the aftermath of the strong earthquake that struck on Friday. Key Cabinet officials were on the ground by Saturday to oversee the rapid distribution of relief items, execute road-clearing operations, and establish emergency shelters, prioritizing the immediate restoration of normalcy.
President Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate action and close coordination among Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan (Vince Dizon in the source text, using current official name for formality), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, alongside Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno.
Infrastructure and Road Clearing Operations
DPWH Secretary Bonoan confirmed that road-clearing operations commenced immediately in the quake’s epicenter, Davao Oriental, as well as in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte. As of Saturday, national highways are fully passable.
“The President instructed us to move fast to bring immediate relief and restore normalcy to the situation,” Secretary Bonoan said, adding that while minor cracks were observed in some bridge and road structures, no major structural damage has been reported. Assessments of damaged infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes, are actively underway, with rapid repair schedules being put in place.
Relief, Shelter, and Food Security
DSWD Secretary Gatchalian assured the public that the Department is fully equipped to support all affected families. Highlighting the department’s pre-disaster preparations, he stated, “Before the earthquake, we had 100,000 Family Food Packs pre-positioned in the Davao Region alone. These are ready for immediate distribution.”
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to food security, stressing, “In accordance with the President’s order, no affected family will go hungry.” Furthermore, DSWD is continuously producing 25,000 food packs per day from its repacking centers and deploying large tents to serve as temporary shelters for displaced families and to ensure continuous patient care for hospitals with structural issues. Financial assistance for families with partially or totally damaged homes is also being prepared.
School Infrastructure and Learner Safety
DepEd Secretary Angara confirmed that the assessment of school infrastructure damage has begun. He noted the streamlined coordination with DPWH to accelerate major repair projects.
For minor repairs, DepEd will directly release funds to the affected regional and division offices. For more extensive damage, Secretary Angara stated that ground safety assessments will be conducted in coordination with the DPWH before any rebuilding begins, ensuring the utmost safety of learners and teachers. DepEd is also coordinating with DSWD to prepare tailored aid for affected educators and students.
The Cabinet officials affirmed that the whole-of-government approach ensures that resources and efforts are fully mobilized to support the recovery and resilience of the Davao region.
