Aquino to spend birthday with Visayan quake victims

President Benigno S. Aquino III will spend his birthday on Wednesday visiting earthquake-affected areas in Dumaguete City following a 6.9-magnitude quake that hit Visayas on Monday.

The President will inspect damaged areas and meet residents affected by the calamity, as well as oversee the government relief operations.

“President Aquino has been keeping abreast of the situation since the earthquake struck Monday morning. Agencies and departments are implementing his instructions concerning the disaster relief and information-dissemination operations,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The military and the Philippine Coastguard have dispatched several air and sea assets to transport relief goods and other materials needed by the quake victims, Lacierda said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 has provided 2,000 family packs, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, boxes of canned goods, tents, mats, blankets and mosquito nets to Negros Oriental, the President’s spokesman said.

Also the President is in touch with Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the First District of Negros Oriental concerning four cities and municipalities in the district badly hit by the recent earthquake: Guihulngan City, the municipalities of La Libertad, Tayasan, and Jimalalud. The lawmaker has arranged for the delivery of 400 bags of rice to the residents.

Lacierda also encouraged private citizens to donate food, water, and clothing to help the victims. A donation desk is set up at the DSWD Field Office VII located at M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. Donors could hotline number (032) 232-1192.

“The President continues to appeal for citizens to cooperate with the authorities, and to keep in mind that public safety must be kept as the highest priority. This is an unusual situation which calls for the utmost responsibility, particularly in disseminating information. It does no one any good to sensationalize the situation,” Lacierda said.

As of noontime Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 15 fatalities, 52 injured persons, and 29 missing individuals following the Visayas earthquake yesterday.

Together with the affected local government units, NDRRMC is conducting Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) in the affected areas based on the instruction of the President. (PCOO/PIA9-ZBST)