Marcos assures quake victims: Gov’t to keep helping until normalcy restored

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday assured that the government agencies will continue to stay in communities badly hit by recent earthquakes until normalcy is restored and all residents are back on their feet.

He gave the assurance in a situation briefing with local officials of Tarragona, Davao Oriental, days after the province was hit by two major offshore earthquakes that claimed eight lives so far.

“Sabihin ninyo sa amin. Kung kaya namin dalhin, kaya namin ibigay, gagawin namin,” the President told residents and local chief executives.

(Tell us what you need. If we can bring it here, if we can provide it, we will do it.)

Marcos added that the government’s disaster response and relief efforts are not a one-time effort and that these will be sustained until the community has returned to normalcy.

“At hindi ito pang minsanan lamang. Hindi kami aalis dito, hindi aalis ang DSWD, ang DOH, ang DPWH, DHSUD, lahat. Wala sa aming aalis dito hangga’t lahat ng mga citizens na natamaan ay nakabalik na sa more or less na normal na buhay,” the President said.

(This won’t be a one-time effort…We won’t leave, the DSWD, DOH, DPWH, DHSUD, everybody. We won’t leave until all affected citizens have returned to a more or less normal life.)

“Hindi na nangangailangan ng relief goods, hindi na nangangailangan ng shelter, hindi na nangangailangan ng gamot, at least na emergency. 'Yun ang ating gagawin. So, that’s our job,” he added.

(When you no longer need relief goods, you no longer need shelter, you no longer need emergency medicines. That’s what we will do. So that’s our job.)

On Monday, the Chief Executive brought P298 million in financial aid to affected local government units in Davao Oriental, which was struck by twin offshore earthquakes on Oct. 10.

He reminded residents not to be shy in asking for additional support.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will remain onsite to make sure that affected families receive adequate food, shelter, and medical assistance as they rebuild and recover.

 “Tuloy-tuloy lang. ‘Yung lagi kong sinasabi sa ating mga nagiging biktima, pagka may sakuna kagaya nito, ay lagi kong sinasabi na huwag kayong magdadalawang isip kung anong pangangailangan ninyo, sabihin ninyo sa amin,” he said.

(We will continue to do this. I always say that to calamity victims. I always tell them not to hesitate. If there’s something you need, tell us.)

Marcos also underscored the importance of coordinating recovery efforts with LGUs as they are in the best position to identify the needs of their constituents.

“We have to do this together with the local government. Kasi ang local government talaga ang pinaka-authoritative. Kayo ang nakakaalam kung saan yung problema, alam din ninyo kung ano ‘yung dapat maging solusyon. So, nakikinig kami sa inyo,” the President said.

(We have to do this together with the local government. Because the local government is most authoritative on this. You know what the problems are, you know what the solutions should be. So we will always listen to you.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News