President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. personally went to Bangued, Abra, on Thursday.
There, he led the situation briefing on the effects of the effects of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that shook the country with Abra being hit the hardest.
The earthquake hit parts of the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and left five people dead and almost 5,000 injured.
In his briefing, President Marcos stressed the need to bring all help possible and restore power and water supply in the affected areas.
“I think we will just have to do as much as we can, as quickly as possible. That’s going to be for our relief efforts, gagawin natin. Let’s make sure that we are ready to support them and give them all they need,” the President said.
He also ordered the inspection of public buildings, hospitals, clinics, and health centers as well as government buildings and directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to speed up the opening of roads affected by the earthquake.
The President likewise ordered concerned national agencies to coordinate closely with the local government units (LGUs) to maximize resources.
An initial P10-million was released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide cash aid for the families who have been displaced by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Abra province on Wednesday morning.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo quickly flew to Abra, checked on the situation there and talked to local officials there to know the needs of the residents.
Tulfo distributed initial cash assistance and food packs to the affected residents. (TSJ)
