THE government extended a total of P25.2 million to the families affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Soccsksargen last week, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Office for Region XII said on Thursday.
“As of this report, a total of 25,209,575 pesos has been provided to the affected families. As of this reporting, the LGUs are still able to manage and respond adequately to the needs of their affected population with the support and assistance from the national line agencies in the region,” the OCD said in a situation briefing with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in General Santos City.
The OCD also reported that the office that the food and non-food items cluster was able to provide 13,148 family food packs; 74 loaves of bread; and, 2,119 assorted items. Also, a total of 3,870 persons were given assistance to individual in crisis situation.
The health cluster provided triaging, first aid, and psychological first aid to victims, the OCD said, adding there is a total of 718 victims, 689 outpatient, and 29 admitted for confinement.
In terms of prepositioned resources, the health cluster has allocation for medical and public health; P300,000 for mental health and psychosocial services, and P400,000 for nutrition. Some 27 medical practitioners are readily available for deployment.
Psychological first aid was also provided to affected learners by the education cluster, while the shelter cluster prepositioned a total of 167 shelter grade tarpaulins.
For law and order, 28 personnel were deployed to provide area security and assist in relief operation.
In relation to search and rescue and retrieval efforts for missing persons in Bgy. Mudan, Glan, Sarangani Province, a total of 47 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) were deployed.
The logistics cluster also fielded 41 personnel, seven heavy equipment, and installed 50 early warning signages, according to the office.
Meanwhile, General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao expressed her gratitude to President Marcos, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other officials for assisting the city in the aftermath of the quake.
“Nais ko rin pong ipaabot ang aming pasasalamat kay House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Tingog Party-list Congressman Yedda Marie Romualdez, Congressman Jude Acidre, 1-Pacman Party-list, DSWD at DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, at ang private sector, at sa inyo po Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” Pacquiao said during the briefing.
“Hindi po biro na yanigin ng magnitude 6.8 na lindol at tunay ngang nangibabaw ang unity at pagtutulungan ng lahat. Dahil din po sa inyong presensya ngayon, magsisilbi po kayong inspirasyon sa amin. Sa ngalan ng mamamayan ng General Santos City, kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyo, mahal na Pangulo.”
According to the local official, there were 8,576 families or 40,412 individuals affected by the tremor in 77 barangays in GenSan. Eight deaths were reported in addition to the 25 injured.
In terms of damage to shelters, GenSan has 4,299 damaged houses, with 576 totally damaged and the rest partially damaged, Pacquiao said.
