The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has expressed its readiness to deploy personnel and emergency equipment to the Davao Region and SOCCSKSARGEN following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
According to MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes, the agency’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team is on standby for immediate deployment should assistance be requested by national and local authorities in the affected areas.
Artes said the MMDA has also prepared various emergency assets that may be utilized to support disaster response and relief operations. Among these are water filtration units that can help provide affected communities with access to clean and safe drinking water, particularly in areas where basic services may have been disrupted by the strong tremor.
The MMDA chief noted that the agency remains committed to assisting in search, rescue, and humanitarian efforts as part of the government’s coordinated response to the disaster. He added that the agency is prepared to augment ongoing operations if additional manpower and resources are needed on the ground.
To ensure a timely response, the MMDA continues to closely coordinate with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which is monitoring the situation and assessing the needs of affected communities.
The agency said it remains on alert and ready to mobilize its personnel and equipment at any time to support relief and recovery efforts and help communities affected by the earthquake.