By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday flew to the earthquake-hit province of Abra to check on the situation of the affected individuals and conduct a situation briefing with concerned national and local officials.
A short video of Marcos’ visit to Abra was uploaded on the official Facebook page of state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. travels to Abra today, 28 July 2022,” the RTVM said in a Facebook post.
Marcos wants to personally see the extent of damage left by the powerful quake that rocked Abra on Wednesday morning, the RTVM said.
Secretaries Antonio Lagdameo Jr. (Special Assistant to the President), Benjamin Abalos Jr. (Local Government), Jose Faustino (Defense), and Erwin Tulfo (Social Welfare) joined Marcos in his visit to Abra.
The situation briefing Marcos presided over in Bangued, Abra is still ongoing, as of press time.
During the briefing, Marcos asked local officials for an update on assistance given to quake victims.
“I agree to what we usually do, work together with the local government so that we can make sure na walang nangangailangan na hindi natin nabigyan ng tulong (that those who need help receive assistance from us),” he said.
Marcos on Wednesday ordered the immediate dispatch of assistance to individuals affected by the strong quake.
In a press conference held Wednesday afternoon, Marcos promised that the government would aid residents whose houses were destroyed by the strong quake.
Marcos also vowed to keep an eye on possible aftershocks and landslides in the wake of the magnitude 7 earthquake.
A total of 227 aftershocks have been recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday.
Apart from Abra, the quake was also felt in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. (PNA)
–ag
