President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the immediate release of emergency and recovery funds to support families affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao last week.
The President issued the directive after visiting Sarangani Province and General Santos City to inspect ongoing relief operations and personally evaluate the needs of displaced residents.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized that the administration’s immediate priorities are saving lives, repairing critical infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term recovery of the stricken areas.
“The full machinery of government is mobilized. As per the President’s directive, we have immediately sent assistance to the affected families and we will continue to expedite the release of additional aid to help them recover as soon as possible,” Recto said.
To finance the massive recovery efforts, the national government is utilizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, which has ₱34.23 billion allocated for long-term rehabilitation. This is backed by an additional ₱11.95 billion in Quick Response Funds designed for immediate emergency deployment.
As of June 15, significant financial aid had already been distributed to local government units (LGUs). The government released ₱362 million through the Local Government Support Fund to General Santos City, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.
Concurrently, the Office of the President downloaded ₱278 million from the Socio-Civic Projects Fund to 19 affected LGUs across the region.
The comprehensive relief package includes direct financial aid, ₱50,000 in burial assistance for families who lost loved ones, and essential supplies like food, medicine, and hygiene kits. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has spearheaded the distribution, releasing over 125,000 family food packs and providing nearly ₱37 million in financial assistance to injured and displaced survivors.
Several other government agencies have activated targeted recovery initiatives:
- Department of Labor and Employment: Providing emergency wages and temporary jobs through its flagship Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
- Government Service Insurance System: Setting aside ₱15.1 billion to fund emergency loans for affected members and pensioners.
- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development: Granting ₱30,000 in cash assistance to families whose homes were completely destroyed, while collaborating with Pag-IBIG and the National Housing Authority to implement housing loan moratoriums.
Meanwhile, utility and infrastructure restoration remains a top priority. The Department of Public Works and Highways is actively inspecting schools and hospitals for structural safety, while the Department of Energy is working to stabilize the power grid.
To maintain vital communication links, the Department of Information and Communications Technology has deployed specialized telecom equipment to assist emergency responders and survivors.