Speaker Dy sympathizes with victims of Cebu earthquake, vows help

Speaker Faustino ''Bojie'' Dy III on Wednesday expressed his condolences to the families of the victims who died in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City in Cebu province.

''Ipinapaabot ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas ang taos-pusong pakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay at sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol sa Cebu at mga karatig-probinsiya,'' Dy said in a statement.

(The Congress expressed condolences to the families of those who died and those who were affected by the earthquake in Cebu and nearby provinces.) 

Dy also vowed that the leadership of the House of Representatives is already coordinating with other government agencies to help affected residents. 

''Kasalukuyan tayong nagsasagawa ng koordinasyon sa mga ahensya at lokal na pamahalaan upang matiyak na maiparating ang kinakailangang tulong, partikular ang agarang serbisyong medikal at mga pangunahing pangangailangan, sa mga lugar na pinaka tinamaan ng lindol,'' he added. 

(We are currently coordinating with the agencies and the local government to ensure that the help needed, particularly the immediate medical assistance, will be delivered to those hit by the earthquake.) 

The Office of the Speaker is also coordinating with representatives from concerned districts to support them in addressing the needs of their constituents. 

''Nakipag-ugnayan na rin tayo sa mga kinatawan ng mga apektadong distrito upang suportahan ang kanilang pagsisikap na maihatid ang tulong sa kanilang nasasakupan,'' Dy said.

(We also coordinate with the representatives of other districts to support them in their efforts to deliver assistance.)

Collapsed buildings, widespread power outages, and frantic rescue efforts gripped northern Cebu a day after a powerful earthquake hit Bogo City. 

The reported death toll due to the magnitude has already 60 as of Wednesday morning.

At least 147 people were injured across northern Cebu, most of them in Bogo City, where 119 residents were treated for quake-related injuries.

Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity following the earthquake. —VAL, GMA Integrated News