By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured that the government is committed to ensuring accountability and assistance to the victims of the tragic trash slide in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, last week.
Before delivering his speech at the naming and delivery ceremony of the KAMSARMAX bulk carrier in Balamban, Cebu on Thursday, the President asked for a moment of silence and offered prayers for the victims of the incident.
“As search and rescue operations continue, we offer our prayers for the souls of the departed and strength to their grieving families,” he said.
“Please be assured that the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure safety, transparency, accountability, and compassionate assistance,” he added.
The Chief Executive also vowed burial support and other forms of aid to the affected families.
According to a situational report by the Bureau of Fire Protection’s Cebu City Fire Station, the death toll from the trash slide has risen to 22 with 14 individuals still missing as of 12:00 p.m. on Thursday.
“Let us stand in solidarity with our fellow Filipinos during this difficult time,” Marcos Jr. said.
Support to Cebu Provincial Hospital
Meanwhile, the President also led the turnover of financial assistance and medical equipment to the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Balamban to boost the hospital’s delivery of healthcare services, especially to far-flung communities.
The Office of the President (OP) provided P5 million for CPH’s upgrade, while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) distributed 20 wheelchairs and P60,000 worth of medicines.
CPH branches in Bogo City and Danao City, as well as the Daanbantayan District Hospital and the Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital in the municipality of Sogod, each received an x-ray machine and an ultrasound machine.
During his visit, Marcos Jr. toured several facilities of the CPH-Balamban and assessed the implementation of the zero balance billing (ZBB) policy.
Under the 2026 national budget, P17.39 billion has been allocated for the ZBB program.
In a press briefing at Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the President will also launch the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Cebu to expand Cebuanos’ access to essential medicines.
“Malapit sa puso ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang mga Cebuano kaya naman ilulunsad ni Pangulo ang guaranteed at accessible medications for outpatient treatment o GAMOT Program upang mas mapalawak ang access ng mga Cebuano sa mga kinakailangang medisina,” Castro said.
-jpv
