By Brian Campued
“Your safety is our top priority.”
The government is working round the clock to ensure that help reaches all the affected communities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured, following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the waters off Davao Oriental on Friday morning.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Marcos said he has directed all concerned national government agencies to coordinate with local authorities to assess the situation on ground and evacuate the residents in coastal areas.
“To our kababayans in the affected regions, please stay alert and calm. Move to higher ground and stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe,” he said. “Follow all instructions from your local disaster councils and barangay officials.”
Following the tsunami warning issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for coastal provinces, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered all concerned local chief executives to evacuate the residents living near the shoreline and strictly implement critical preparedness measures.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also issued a sea travel advisory, suspending all ships and watercraft transiting within the area of responsibility of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, immediately activated its emergency response and mobilized all units in Davao Oriental and nearby provinces to assist all the affected communities, maintain public safety, and coordinate with local authorities.
“Police personnel are currently inspecting buildings, roads, and other infrastructures for damage and identifying areas that need urgent attention,” PNP Acting Chief PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also deployed its troops to conduct rescue and retrieval operations and assist the Office of Civil Defense to assess the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.
“Nagbigay po ng utos ang ating Pangulo na tulungan po namin ang ating mga kababayan na maaaring naapektuhan nitong lindol sa Davao Region,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.
The President added that search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will soon be deployed.
“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is prepositioning food and non-food items, while the Department of Health is ready to provide emergency medical assistance,” he said.
In a statement, the DSWD Field Office XI (Davao Region) said it has already activated its mobile command center to ensure real-time coordination and swift relief response.
“The DSWD XI, led by Regional Director Rhuelo Dalilis Aradanas, is now conducting rapid assessment and close coordination with LGUs and DRRM Offices to determine damage and respond to affected families,” it stated. (with report from Ryan Lesigues and Patrick de Jesus / PTV News)
-jpv
