Malacañang yesterday assured that the government will help victims of the two earthquakes that rocked Itbayat and Basco, Batanes.
It said that President Duterte will visit the affected areas.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Office of the President is closely monitoring the situation and responsible government agencies have been mobilized to respond to the distressed areas.
“Responsible instrumentalities of the national government, such as the Office of the Civil Defense, are continuously coordinating with distressed local government units, including the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Batanes, as relief operations are going on and in full swing,” he said.
“The President has been briefed on the situation and he directed all agencies to respond and undertake measures to provide assistance to the victims of this force majeure and rehabilitate the damaged properties in the areas,” he added.
With risk reduction measures in place, Panelo said the government has prepared itself to react quickly to disaster occurrences like earthquakes while it commits to saving maximum lives and properties and bringing normalcy back in the soonest possible time.
The Palace official asked those affected to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative to government response and relief teams.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte will visit quake victims. “I am sure he will visit. Various agencies already acted right after the earthquake,” he said.
Medialdea added that medical and rescue assistance were deployed to Batanes to assist the local government.
“Our Philippine Air Force C295 already took off for Batanes at 9:18 a.m. bringing medical and rescue teams. We are planning for next sortie in coordination with Region 2 OCD,” he said. (Argyll Geducos)
