The government has released P100 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the General Santos City Hall as it continues relief and recovery operations for communities devastated by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the funding on Wednesday during his visit to General Santos City, where he inspected damaged facilities and led the distribution of assistance to affected residents.
Marcos said families who lost a member in the earthquake would receive P50,000 each from the government.
“Nabigyan ko si Mayor ng 100 milyong piso from the LGSF para maayos ’yung kanilang city hall, ’yung sa General Santos City Hall,” Marcos said, referring to the Local Government Support Fund.
“At lahat ng pamilya na mayroon silang casualty, nabiktima, nasawi ay magbibigay tayo ng tig-50,000 para sa kanila, para tulong doon sa kanilang naging — malapit sa kanila na namatay,” he added.
At least 45 people died in the earthquake, including 33 from Region XII or Soccsksargen and 12 from Region XI or Davao Region.
Marcos said the Department of Budget and Management would also release additional funds from the LGSF for infrastructure repairs in heavily affected areas, including Sarangani and South Cotabato. The exact amount has yet to be announced.
The President said Sarangani was the hardest hit by the quake. A state of calamity has been declared in Sarangani and General Santos City.
As of June 10, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said more than P21.378 million worth of food and non-food relief items had been provided to affected families and individuals in Regions IX, XI and XII.
The DSWD said it has distributed 15,930 family food packs, more than 4,000 ready-to-eat food boxes and other non-food items. It has also released P4.76 million in cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program to injured patients, bereaved families and other affected individuals.
At the General Santos City Oval Plaza, Marcos oversaw the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance and family food packs to around 4,000 workers who lost their jobs because of the earthquake.
Government data showed that at least 43,716 families, or 197,750 individuals, were affected by the earthquake in 231 barangays.
Of the total, 3,633 families, or 15,960 persons, are staying in 31 evacuation centers, while 1,815 families, or 9,041 individuals, are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
A total of 7,866 houses were damaged.
The DSWD said it is also providing psychosocial support to evacuees and has deployed mobile command centers from its field offices in Regions IX, XI and XII to help provide critical information, power supply and internet connection in affected areas. A mobile kitchen from Region XII was also deployed.
The agency said it still has P839.43 million in standby funds and more than 4.8 million family food packs prepositioned in warehouses nationwide.
During his visit, Marcos first went to St. Elizabeth Hospital and ordered the immediate structural assessment of the hospital and other health facilities to ensure they are safe before patients are allowed to return, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
He also inspected the Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School-PAGCOR Building in Purok Cahilsot Village and the General Santos National High School-Grade 9 Mainstream Building in Calumpang.
Marcos ordered the Department of Health to help students cope with trauma from the earthquake, saying the emotional and psychological impact of the disaster must also be addressed.
He directed teachers and school personnel to closely monitor students who may show signs of emotional distress, noting that children do not always openly express their struggles. He said teachers would undergo specialized training to help identify and assist students experiencing trauma and stress.
The President also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to speed up the reopening of roads in quake-hit areas to allow the faster delivery of aid and restoration of essential services, including electricity and water.
Marcos said at least 85 percent of power in affected areas had already been restored.
Engineers are also conducting structural evaluations to determine whether damaged buildings can still be used or must be demolished and rebuilt.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to assist in delivering food and medicine to affected communities, especially in remote and isolated areas, Marcos said.