By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed concerned government agencies to prioritize structural assessments of hospitals and other medical facilities damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani on June 8.
The President made the directive during an inspection of St. Elizabeth Hospital in General Santos City to assess the extent of the damage and ensure that affected facilities are assisted so that medical services can continue following the disaster.
The hospital’s Jesus C. Veneracion Medical Arts Tower, which houses its dialysis and chemotherapy center, pharmacy, doctors’ clinics, and offices, among others, sustained major damage.
Marcos also visited the Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School and General Santos National High School, as well as the distribution of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) at the General Santos City Oval Plaza.
“Patuloy lang ang ating ginagawa. We are still trying to assess the buildings that have been damaged. What is the nature of the damage? What do we need to do to put them back into service? Iyan ang ating unang ginagawa,” the President said in a media statement.
“Of course, the original—the first step was always mag-provide ng relief goods, mag-provide ng healthcare, at saka evacuation,” he added, noting that agencies are working on rapidly reopening all roads in quake-affected areas to allow the swift delivery of assistance and the immediate restoration of essential services such as electricity and water supply.
Around 4,000 displaced workers in General Santos City received P5,000 financial aid under AICS, while the DSWD Field Office XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) also distributed family food packs (FFPs) to affected families and deployed a mobile kitchen to provide hot meals.
The local government of General Santos City likewise received P100 million under the Local Government Support Fund for the restoration of its damaged city hall, while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will provide funding for Sarangani and South Cotabato.
“At lahat ng pamilya na mayroon silang casualty, nabiktima, nasawi ay magbibigay tayo ng tigfi-50,000 para sa kanila, para tulong doon sa kanilang naging—malapit sa kanila na namatay,” Marcos said.
Apart from addressing the needs of patients, the Department of Health (DOH) is also focused on providing mental health interventions to affected learners following the earthquake.
“We have a program sa DOH na tutulong sa mental health ng mga bata na dumaan sa ganitong klaseng experience. Kasi kung minsan hindi nagsasabi ‘yung bata. Kailangan, sabi ko, bantayan ninyo nang mabuti,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive likewise assured the national government’s continued coordination with local authorities and concerned agencies to support the rehabilitation and recovery of affected communities.
“So, we are continuing to help work together with the local government… We are continuing to work with them closely to make sure that all the needs, yung immediate needs ng mga naging biktima ay matulungan natin kaagad,” he said.
During the inspection, the President was accompanied by Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Sonny Angara, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Vince Dizon, DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., General Santos City Lone District Rep. Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles, and General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao.
-av
