MARCOS ORDERS FULL GOV’T RESPONSE AFTER POWERFUL QUAKE IN CEBU

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday extended his sympathies to the families affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu, assuring residents that government agencies have been fully mobilized to assist, conduct search and rescue operations, and restore essential services in the affected communities.

“Mga kababayan, kagabi ay niyanig ng magnitude 6.9 na lindol ang Cebu na may epicenter sa karagatan, humigit-kumulang 19 kilometro hilaga-silangan ng Bogo City. Buong puso akong nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, at kasama sa aking mga dasal ang kaligtasan ng mga nasugatan at lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol,” President Marcos in a statement said.

The President assured the public that department heads have rushed to the affected areas to ensure that assistance is provided and to assess the damage from the earthquake and its aftershocks.

“Nasa mga apektadong lugar na po ang ating mga Kalihim upang magbigay ng tulong at suriin ang pinsala mula sa lindol at mga aftershock,” President Marcos added.

The President also said that government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are actively working to restore essential services in Cebu following the powerful quake.

“Tinitiyak ng DPWH ang kaligtasan ng mga kalsada at tulay. Ang DOE ay kumikilos upang maibalik ang suplay ng kuryente. Ang DOH ay nagpadala ng karagdagang tauhan sa mga ospital, at ang DSWD ay naghahatid ng pagkain at iba pang tulong,” President Marcos noted.

The Chief Executive emphasized that emergency responders are on the ground to rescue survivors and maintain order.

“Katuwang ang BFP sa search and rescue, habang ang PNP ay nakatutok sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at pagtulong sa mga operasyon ng pagliligtas,” President Marcos.

The President said that coordinating agencies such as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) have also been tasked with overseeing a unified response.

“Pinamumunuan ng OCD at NDRRMC ang koordinasyon ng lahat ng ahensya upang matiyak ang mabilis at maayos na pagtugon,” President Marcos said.

The President at the same time called on residents to remain vigilant. “Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na manatiling alerto at makinig sa abiso ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan. Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan,” said President Marcos.