Senator Joel Villanueva formally introduced a legislative resolution on Monday, urging the national government to deploy more funds and resources to accelerate recovery efforts in Mindanao after a destructive magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
Through Senate Resolution No. 447, Villanueva called on the executive branch to execute all essential strategies to guarantee that affected areas receive sufficient financial backing for immediate relief and long-term reconstruction.
The lawmaker pointed out that the devastated regions face a challenging rebuilding process.
He noted that substantial financial aid is vital to repair severely damaged infrastructure, restart paralyzed local economies, reopen schools, and assist families displaced by the disaster.
“While existing disaster-response mechanisms provide immediate assistance during emergencies, the magnitude of the destruction and the scale of rehabilitation and reconstruction required may exceed currently available resources, thereby necessitating additional government support to ensure a timely, comprehensive, and sustainable recovery effort,” he said.
Furthermore, Villanueva warned of potential long-term economic damage if the government fails to quickly address the severe disruptions to Mindanao’s crucial agricultural, fisheries, and logistics industries.
“A swift and decisive government response is necessary not only to address the immediate needs of affected communities but also to prevent further economic dislocation, support local government units, protect national economic interests, and ensure that the people of Mindanao are able to recover and rebuild from the devastation caused by the earthquake,” he added.
The resolution aims to boost ongoing state operations as government agencies continue to deliver emergency relief to communities hit hardest by the earthquake that struck on June 8.