President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday personally visited earthquake-stricken communities in Davao Oriental, overseeing relief operations and announcing P298 million in financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) across the Davao and Caraga regions.
The President flew to the region days after the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes struck off the coast of Davao Oriental last weekend, displacing residents and damaging critical infrastructure. This marked his latest on-site visit to disaster-hit areas, following trips to calamity zones in Masbate and Cebu.
He inspected the field hospital set up outside the quake-damaged Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital–Manay District in Barangay Central, the only hospital in the municipality, which was rendered inoperable by the tremors.
The chief executive also visited Manay National High School in Barangay San Ignacio, where several classrooms and the faculty room collapsed, affecting more than 1,300 students and 75 staff.
He then proceeded to evacuation centers in Tarragona, including the municipal grounds where makeshift tents now shelter around 255 displaced families. The designated Regional Evacuation Center was declared unsafe by local authorities.
During a situation briefing outside the Tarragona Municipal Hall, the President directed Cabinet officials and local leaders to maintain round-the-clock relief and recovery efforts. He emphasized that LGUs will have full discretion over how to use the funds.
“It’s up to the LGU how you will use this… As a former governor, I know that every area has differences in needs. You know the needs in your area better than we do,” Mr Marcos said.
The Office of the President allocated P50 million to Davao Oriental and additional support to its hardest-hit municipalities: P15 million each to Manay, Banaybanay, and Lupon; P10 million each to Mati City, Tarragona, Baganga, Boston, and Cateel; P5 million each to Caraga and San Isidro; and P3 million to Governor Generoso.
Beyond Davao Oriental, P20 million was earmarked for Agusan del Sur, and P15 million each for Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Davao City.
Marcos also said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will tap the Local Government Support Fund to assist in recovery, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will use its Quick Response Fund for rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
