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On his 52nd birthday on Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III will be in Dumaguete City  inspecting damaged areas and meeting the residents affected by the magnitude-6.9 earthquake Monday.

 

In a press statement issued Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino will be visiting the city “in keeping with the values of servant leadership espoused by his family”

 

“He will inspect damaged areas and meet with our countrymen affected by the calamity, as well as with the government workers who are providing much needed relief operations on the ground,” Lacierda said.

 

He said President Aquino has been keeping abreast of the situation since the earthquake struck Monday morning.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has reported that a total of 22 people have been confirmed dead while 71 people remained missing. Military authorities, however, pegged the fatality figure at 48.

 

Aside from Dumaguete City, other areas badly hit by earthquake were Iloilo and Cebu.

 

Agencies and departments, on the other hand, are implementing Aquino’s instructions concerning the disaster relief and information-dissemination operations.

Food supplies

 

Lacierda said two helicopters have been sent by the Armed Forces' Eastern Mindanao Command, another two helicopters from the AFP Western Mindanao Command, one helicopter and one islander aircraft from the Philippine Coast Guard to deliver food and non food supplies to the affected areas.

 

Two Coast Guard vessels have joined a Philippine Navy vessel in delivering provisions by sea to damaged areas.

 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 7 has provided 2,000 family packs, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, boxes of canned goods, tents, mats, blankets and mosquito nets to Negros Oriental.

 

Lacierda said President Aquino is in touch with Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong with regards to the badly hit areas in her district -- Guihulngan City, the municipalities of La Libertad, Tayasan, and Jimalalud.

 

He said Limkaichong has arranged for the delivery of 400 bags of rice from the NFA for residents.

 

Lacierda also encouraged private citizens to assist by means of donations in the form of food, water, and clothing in aid of these areas. He said a donation desk was set up at the DSWD Field Office VII located at M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City which can be reached at (032) 232-1192      .

 

“The President continues to appeal for citizens to cooperate with the authorities, and to keep in mind that public safety must be kept the highest priority,” he said.

 

“This is an unusual situation which calls for the utmost responsibility, particularly in disseminating information. It does no one any good to sensationalize the situation,” he added.

 

Earlier in the day, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they wish the President good health on his special day.

 

“Kay Pangulo po, good health and siguro apart from good health, the tenacity. It takes a lot to be President of the Philippines. We continue to pray for the President for him to meet ‘yung mga kailangan pong gawin ng isang Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” she told reporters at a press briefing in Malacañang. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News