Malacañang on Monday assured the public that the national government has sufficient funds and resources to mount a swift disaster response following the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani in Mindanao.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed during a press briefing that the administration is fully equipped to handle immediate rescue operations and mitigate the impact of the disaster.
“The President has already issued directives for all involved and concerned agencies to respond. We assure the public that current funds are sufficient to carry out rescue operations and alleviate the impact of today’s disaster, said PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro.
Earlier in the day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a directive ordering all concerned government agencies to take immediate action in addressing the aftermath of the massive offshore quake.
The Chief Executive noted that the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are actively steering disaster response efforts and continuously monitoring affected localities.
To ensure immediate relief, the President has directed the following agency actions:
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): Mandated to pre-position relief goods, food packs, and ensure the absolute readiness of evacuation centers for displaced residents.
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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH): Placed on standby to immediately conduct structural assessments on roads, bridges, and critical public infrastructure.
President Marcos emphasized that the national government is mobilizing all necessary resources and remains in constant communication with regional offices and local chief executives to ensure a seamless, coordinated response on the ground.
