Marcos wants gov't assets maximized for relief operations in quake-hit areas

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday said government assets should be maximized for the search and rescue as well as relief operations in areas affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Northern Luzon on Wednesday.

Marcos presided over a briefing in Abra with some Cabinet members and local government officials about the current situation in the province as well as in other areas affected by the earthquake.

"Mga national government agencies, please coordinate closely with the local government para mamaximize ang mga assets, hindi kayo naguulit, hindi kayo nagkukulang. You plan everything together," he said.

(National government agencies, please coordinate closely with the local government so we can maximize our assets. You plan everything together.)

"You listen to the local governments because they are the ones who have the fundamental responsibility to bring aid to the people," Marcos added.

Marcos also tasked concerned agencies to ensure sufficient water supply and financial assistance from the government to those who have been evacuated because of the damage to their homes caused by the quake.

"Number one is the water supply and whatever financial support that the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is intending to provide ... [those who] have been rendered homeless or at least they have been evacuated eh may support naman silang kaunti (can receive support, even just a little)...," he said.

Marcos added that he wants to "restore the actual water systems as quickly as possible."

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos mentioned that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) brought 10 water purifiers to Abra.

"Ginamit po namin ito noong huling Odette sa Bohol at sa Samar. So naka-standby na po sila. Siguro solar powered din po sila... puwedeng mag-supply sa isang barangay," he said.

(We used this when Typhoon Odette hit Bohol and Samar. They are on standby. Maybe they're solar powered as well. These can be supplied to a single barangay.)

Moreover, the President wants agencies to ensure that hospitals are safe to operate.

"Again, the coordination between the civil engineers, first the public buildings... Even before the government buildings, 'yung mga offices... unahin natin 'yung hospitals (let us prioritize the hospitals)," Marcos said.

"After which, puntahan natin 'yung mga bahay ng mga tao para makita kung safe na talaga sila," he added.

(After which, let us go to the damaged residences to check if they are safe.)

The President further said the Department of National Defense (DND) would make its resources available to deliver goods and services to isolated areas also hit by the earthquake.

"'Yung sa air assets ng DND, we will arrange na nga para hindi tayo masyadong nahihirapan at maiabot na natin 'yung isolated areas," Marcos said.

(We will arrange the air assets of the DND so that it won't be too difficult for us and we can reach the isolated areas.)

"The DND has agreed to put another helicopter at the disposal of the distribution of the food and at some point, water distribution." 

The strong quake left at least four people dead and 131 others injured, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its Thursday morning report.

A total of 12,945 individuals or 3,456 families in 149 barangays in Cordillera, meanwhile, were affected by the earthquake, the report said.

It added that 541 families are staying inside 21 evacuation centers, while 567 individuals or 128 families are staying outside evacuation centers. —VBL, GMA News