PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all concerned government agencies to immediately attend to the needs of victims of the three destructive earthquakes that jolted Mindanao in the last two weeks.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President is currently monitoring the situation of quake-hit areas.
“The President is conscientiously monitoring the situation of the areas affected by the earthquake this morning from his residence at Davao,” he said.
“This, notwithstanding, the President has ordered the national government, through its pertinent bureaus and agencies, to render immediate assistance in whatever form required under the premises,” the Palace official added.
Panelo said Duterte, who usually visits quake-hit areas, would not conduct an inspection since the government’s response teams are already assisting the quake victims.
“The President, however, deems it appropriate to refrain from personally inspecting the disaster-stricken areas and directing actions in response to the catastrophe as there are already ongoing operations by the responsible local government units, and they have so far effectively responded to the current critical situation,” he said.
Panelo also said the quake would not stop the President from attending the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits in Thailand on November 2 to 4.
“In this connection, the President shall push through with his trip to Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow afternoon to participate in the 35th Asean Summit and Related Summits,” he said.
Another powerful earthquake occurred near Tulunan, Cotabato at around 9:11 a.m., Thursday, October 31, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
The inland quake, with magnitude of 6.5, occurred at a depth of eight kilometers about 27 kilometers northeast of Tulunan. It was the third major tremor to hit Mindanao.
Two other quakes, both inland, occurred on October 16 and October 29, 2019. Hundreds of quakes with lesser magnitude and aftershocks have been plotted since October 16, 2019.
The death toll from the three quakes has risen to 18, with three fatalities reported Thursday. Seven were reported on October 16 and eight were killed on October 29. (NASE/SunStar Philippines)