Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called for national unity and urged leaders and citizens to set aside political divisions as Mindanao continues to recover from the devastation of a recent major earthquake.
Speaking before residents and local leaders in General Santos City, Pangilinan stressed the urgency of coordinated action to support affected communities in Mindanao, particularly in areas hit hard by the disaster.
“Sabi ko sa aking mga kasamahan sa Senado, tama na itong gulo natin. Matindi na masyado. May kalamidad na sa GenSan at Sarangani. Isantabi na natin ang politika. Magkaisa na tayo at magtulungan,” Pangilinan said.
He emphasized that disaster response and recovery should take priority over political disagreements, noting that affected communities require immediate and sustained government attention.
“Pagka humarap tayo sa kalamidad, anumang pagsubok, kaya natin lagpasan basta’t tayo ay nagtutulungan,” he added.
Push for faster government response
Pangilinan also underscored the need for faster and more efficient government action, citing his experience in facilitating the settlement of delayed payments to a farmers’ cooperative under the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored.
He said the P1.9 million obligation owed to the Ladifa Agriculture Cooperative for supplies to the Department of Education (DepEd) was resolved within a week after his office coordinated with concerned agencies.
Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, allows national and local government agencies to directly purchase agricultural products from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding.
Commitment to recovery efforts
The senator said his office remains ready to assist in Mindanao’s recovery by coordinating with agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and DepEd for both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation needs.
“Kung mayroon pang maitutulong ang ating tanggapan, sabihan lamang tayo at kami mismo ang personal na makikipag-follow up sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan,” he said.
Mindanao was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8, leaving dozens dead and affecting over a million residents, with widespread damage to infrastructure reported across multiple provinces.