ASEANEWS HEADLINE-EARTHQUAKE | Philippines: Marcos OKs funding for quake-hit LGUs

 

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos announced the provision of P100 million to the local government of General Santos City to repair its city hall destroyed by Monday’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

Marcos made the announcement during yesterday’s visit to the quake-hit city. The assistance will come from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which was created to support the implementation of locally identified development priorities.

Families of earthquake fatalities would receive P50,000 each, he added.

Marcos said the budget department would allocate LGSF resources to repair the damaged infrastructure in South Cotabato and Sarangani, the province hardest hit by the earthquake.

Vice President Sara Duterte separately visited quake victims yesterday in Soccsksargen.

A magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit Sarangani mid-morning yesterday, coinciding with the visits of the country’s two highest officials.

Duterte arrived in Sarangani and visited the wake of couple Jimmy and Rose Batino in Purok Sto. Niño, Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan town to personally convey her condolences to the family.

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Based on accounts from relatives and local residents, the Batino couple was near the shoreline cleaning their truck when the tremor triggered ground fissures and soil collapse in the area.

The incident reportedly caused them to be swept into the water, resulting in their drowning.

Duterte advised the public to be prepared in case a strong earthquake happens.

“We do not know when the earthquake will happen. We do not have a warning. That is why the best thing we can do is to prepare for the earthquake so that we do not panic. We should know what to do when the ground shakes,” the Vice President added.

Duterte said the Disaster Operations Center and the Southern Mindanao Satellite Office of the Office of the Vice President provided hot meals for first responders and rescuers in General Santos City, as well as food and non-food boxes to displaced families.

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Inspections

The President also visited St. Elizabeth Hospital along Santiago Boulevard and oversaw the distribution of assistance intended for people in crisis situations at the General Santos City Oval Plaza.

He then went to the Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School PAGCOR Building at the Purok Cahilsot Village and the General Santos National High School Grade 9 Mainstream Building in Calumpang, where he delivered his media statement.
Marcos said engineers are assessing whether the buildings in quake-hit areas are safe.

Up to 85 percent of the power supply in the affected areas have been restored, but distribution issues persist in at least two locations because two plants had to stop operation.

According to the President, government vehicles have yet to enter the areas with power issues because the roads leading to them were either damaged or affected by a landslide. He said relief goods were delivered through helicopter in Glan town in Sarangani and other places that remain inaccessible by land travel.

The government, Marcos added, would also assist children traumatized by the disaster through the Department of Health (DOH)’s mental health initiatives.
“Sometimes, children do not speak (about their experience). I said watch over them. If you see someone who needs help, the DOH can provide assistance,” he said.

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“The teachers themselves can do it, they will have training after this… so they can provide a little therapy to our students. That is one of the main concerns.”
Marcos said communication lines have been restored but the water supply is still being addressed.

“So, we are assuring them, they need not worry. If they run out of supply, we can provide more,” he said.
The Chief Executive also assured teachers whose homes were damaged by the quake that the National Housing Authority is ready to assist them.

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Aftershock

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State seismologists said the magnitude 4.9 aftershock yesterday occurred at 9:54 a.m. approximately 31 kilometers southwest of Glan town. It was tectonic in origin with a depth of 33 kilometers.

Intensity 4 was felt at General Santos City; Kiamba, Sarangani; Alabel and T’boli, South Cotabato and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Intensity 3 was recorded at Maasim, Maitum, Malungon and Malapatan, Sarangani; Koronadal City, Lake Sebu, Norala, Polomolok, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tampakan and Tupi, Cotabato and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.

Intensity 2 was logged at Davao City; Banga, Kidapawan City, Cotabato; South Cotabato and Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, while Intensity 1 was felt at Tantangan, South Cotabato; along with Esperanza and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

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Redirect

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The Philippine Ports Authority has issued a call to passenger and cargo voyages headed to General Santos City to redirect their routes to Davao del Sur for the meantime.

PPA general manager Jay Santiago told The STAR that shippers are advised to avoid sailing to the Port of General Santos, as operations there are currently suspended to make way for engineering checks.

Upon PPA assessment, Santiago said the Port of Mabila in Balut Island sustained the most damage from Monday’s quake.

In Davao, the PPA recorded minor cracks in the Port of Malalag, such as in the backup area and perimeter fence. There are also power interruptions in the Port of Mati.

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Supplemental budget

Sen. Francis Pangilinan has introduced a bill seeking a P15-billion supplemental budget to fund immediate relief and reconstruction efforts in the severely impacted areas by the recent earthquake in Mindanao.

Under Senate Bill 2259, the widespread destruction and disruption of social and public services to residents merits the additional funding to “augment the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund under the General Appropriations Act of 2026” specifically for relief, recovery, rehabilitation and repair activities.

Meanwhile, the Government Service Insurance System has set aside P15.1 billion for emergency loans for more than 608,000 members and pensioners reeling from the effects of the earthquake.

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In a statement, the pension fund said the Emergency Loan Program is now available to qualified active members and old-age and disability pensioners in areas declared under a state of calamity.

Eligible members may borrow up to P40,000 if they have an existing emergency loan or P20,000 if they have none.

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Back to work

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the resumption of work in the anti-graft body’s offices in Davao and Cagayan de Oro on June 11 after the Department of Public Works and Highways gave initial approval for employees to occupy the buildings.

Moreover, complaint centers in Jolo and Zamboanga have already resumed operations yesterday. – Bella Cariaso, Josiah Antonio, Elijah Felice Rosales, Neil Jayson Servallos, Aubrey Rose Inosante, Daphne Galvez

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