PBBM VISITS CEBU GROUND ZERO, OVERSEES IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR QUAKE VICTIMS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday personally visited victims of the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu province to oversee relief efforts and extend immediate assistance to affected residents.

President Marcos arrived in Bogo City, close to the epicenter of the Sept. 30 powerful earthquake, where he inspected some of the badly damaged structures and interacted with some of the victims.

The President inspected the collapsed housing units at SM Cares Village in Bgy. Polambato and talked as well with affected families.

SM Cares Village was established by SM Supermalls in November 2014 for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

President Marcos afterwards visited the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Vicente Ferrer in Bgy. Bungtod, as the church sustained heavy damage during the earthquake.

The President also visited the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy in Bgy. Cogon, a public school heavily damaged during the earthquake.

The Chief Executive also visited the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bgy. Taytayan, where he assured patients of immediate relief assistance. The hospital staff have put up makeshift wards at the parking lot to attend to the influx of patients.

The President gave instructions on relief operations to the Cabinet officials who accompanied him, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Guarin.

After the site inspections, the President presided over the situation briefing held at the Bogo City Hall.

RELEASE OF OVER P600M ASSISTANCE ORDERED

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the release of over P200 million assistance from the Office of the President to local government units in Cebu devastated by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

During his visit to Bogo City, one of the hardest hit by the earthquake, the President announced the release of P50 million to the Cebu provincial government: P20 million each to Bogo City, Sogod, and San Remigio; and P10 million each to the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

The Chief Executive also ordered the release of P20 million each to Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and P5 million each to provincial hospitals in Cebu.

President Marcos also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P150 million in Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to the Cebu provincial government and P75 million each to the local government units of San Remigio, Bogo City, and Medellin.

“I assured all of our local executives that this is not — hindi ito minsanan lang. Baka naman isipin ninyo na pag-alis namin dito tapos na lahat. Hindi,” President Marcos said in a statement after presiding over a situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall.

“We will continue to monitor. We will continue to coordinate with the leaders, the local leadership to make sure that maganda ang takbo ng ating rehabilitation and all the support na binibigay natin,” said the President.

P10,000 CASH AID FOR DISPLACED CEBUANOS

At the same time, the President said the government is also providing P10,000 cash assistance for those whose homes were damaged by the earthquake.

“We are providing for all of those who have been displaced, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga nawalan ng bahay. Binibigyan natin ng 10,000 na cash assistance at least sa umpisa. Kung kailangan pa nila, baka maulit. Titingnan natin kung papaano na ang takbo ng ating recovery,” President Marcos said.

The government is rushing to bring in tents for the proposed tent city to serve as temporary shelter for the families displaced by the earthquake, as many fear returning to their homes due to safety concerns.

The President assured that the ongoing recovery program will continue until all those affected have been assisted with their basic necessities and that commercial enterprises are back in business.

President Marcos arrived in Bogo City on Thursday to personally visit the survivors of the devastating earthquake, oversee relief efforts and extend immediate assistance to affected residents.