President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines recently visited the areas devastated by a powerful earthquake, pledging rapid assistance. He acknowledged the severe challenges in delivering essential supplies like food, water, and electricity to the many people left without homes.
The 6.9-magnitude quake, which struck the central Philippines late on Tuesday, resulted in at least 72 fatalities and nearly 300 injuries, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Thursday report.
A significant portion of the casualties occurred in Bogo City, located at the northern tip of Cebu Province, where President Marcos Jr. traveled with other officials. Over 170,000 individuals were displaced by the temblor, which damaged 87 buildings, numerous roads, bridges, and almost 600 homes.
Despite ongoing search efforts by rescue teams in affected areas, officials expressed optimism that most of the missing had been accounted for, as noted by Junie Castillo, a spokesperson for the office of civil defense.
However, the President highlighted the immense infrastructural damage, which poses significant obstacles for survivors. Many structures, including a hospital, suffered extensive harm, leaving very few safe havens for those displaced.
“That is why we are having a slightly difficult time,” President Marcos Jr. remarked to residents during his visit, according to official transcripts. “We do not have a place to put our displaced families.”
To address the immediate housing crisis, the government plans to swiftly deploy tents to the region, drawing inspiration from those utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“And we will then establish proper facilities within these tent cities,” he affirmed. “We will guarantee access to food, water, electricity, and, if needed, generator sets. Whatever you require, we are committed to providing it.”
President Marcos Jr. assured that power would be restored to Bogo City by the end of Thursday. Additionally, hospital patients, who had been evacuated, would be moved back indoors once structural engineers confirmed the safety of the buildings.
The Philippines, situated on the geologically active Pacific Rim of Fire, is highly susceptible to natural disasters. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that Tuesday’s earthquake originated from an offshore fault that had remained inactive for four centuries, making it the deadliest earthquake in the Philippines since 2013.
A tragic layer to the current crisis is that many affected residents had previously relocated to this area after Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which claimed over 6,000 lives. They had sought refuge in Bogo City, settling in a charity-built village designed to withstand extreme winds, only for it to succumb to the recent earthquake.
President Marcos Jr., whose administration has previously faced allegations regarding the misuse of relief funds, sought to reassure the affected villagers and communities that his government would provide unwavering support. “We will continue to coordinate with the local leadership to ensure a smooth rehabilitation process and that all necessary support is delivered,” he stated.