Marcos tasks agencies to mobilize help amid Cebu earthquake

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered various government agencies to mobilize and provide immediate aid to communities affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu on Tuesday night. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the earthquake, which claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals, struck at 9:59 p.m., with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu.

Following the President’s order, the Department of Health (DOH) swiftly assessed its personnel closest to the area, according to the Presidential Communications Office. 

The doctors, nurses, and staff of the DOH Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and the DOH Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) have reported back on their safety. They are deploying medical teams to nearby areas, especially in Bogo City. 

Meanwhile, the DOH Centers for Health Development (CHD) regional offices in Central and Eastern Visayas have reported back and are already coordinating with their regional counterparts in the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

The DOH advised residents in affected areas to follow the instructions and advice from their local government units as well as to brace for possible aftershocks. 

For its part, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 Central Visayas already intensified coordination with the affected LGUs to provide resource augmentation and address the needs of their constituents.

At present, the DSWD has P379 million in standby funds and has 2.4 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned nationwide. 

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, around 300,000 family food packs spread all over Cebu are ready for immediate use.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, meanwhile, said the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police are fully mobilized to assist in the operations. 

''Search and rescue are the priority of the PNP.  PNP is to prevent looting and maintain order,'' Remulla said. 

Meanwhile, PCO Acting Secretary Dave Gomez rescue teams are already being dispatched to Cebu province. 

Funds

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), meanwhile, called on agencies to promptly activate their Quick Response Funds (QRF) to help the earthquake victims. 

The QRF serves as an emergency standby facility designed to finance urgent relief and recovery initiatives, which will help communities return to normalcy after disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.

The DBM’s regional offices in Central and Eastern Visayas were also instructed to coordinate with their regional counterparts from the OCD to identify requirements where DBM assistance may be extended —KG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News