Marcos gives over P158-M financial aid to Davao earthquake victims

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday provided cash assistance to the affected communities of the twin earthquakes that struck Davao Oriental last Friday.

According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, more than P158 million financial aid was given to the affected local government units.

''Sa kaniyang pagbisita, nagpaabot ng tulong-pinansiyal si Pangulong Marcos Jr. na aabot sa 158.3 million pesos – 50 million pesos dito ang ipinaaabot sa Probinsiya ng Davao Oriental at tig-15 million pesos sa mga bayan ng Manay, Banaybanay, at Lupon; tig-10 million pesos naman ang ipinaaabot ng Pangulo sa Mati City, sa mga bayan ng Tarragona, Baganga, Boston at Cateel; samantalang tig-limang milyong piso sa mga bayan ng Cagara at San Isidro; at tatlong milyong piso para sa Governor Generoso,'' Castro said in a briefing.

(During his visit, President Marcos Jr. provided financial aid worth P158.3 million - P50 million was for the province of Davao Oriental and P15 million pesos each for the towns of Manay, Banaybanay, and Lupon; P10 million each for Mati City, Tarragona, Baganga, Boston and Cateel; while P5 million for Cagara and San Isidro; and P3 million for Governor Generoso.)

During his visit this morning, Marcos also inspected the extent of damage of the powerful earthquakes.

Marcos said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would release Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to the provinces affected by the earthquakes.

He added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would tap their Quick Response Fund to support the repair of damaged buildings.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck offshore Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday morning, October 10, followed by the magnitude 6.8 offshore earthquake in the evening.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has said it is ready to deploy modular shelter units to Davao Oriental to temporarily house residents displaced by the twin offshore earthquakes.—AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News