He has also noted the government’s next steps in assisting the city and other parts of Mindanao in response to the natural calamity.
On Wednesday, June 10, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to General Santos City to personally inspect the ongoing efforts to rebuild the city and assist its residents after the devastating Magnitude 7.8 quake that struck on Momday morning (June 8).
During his visit to General Santos High School, the President said that authorities are currently assessing the extent of damage to schools, hospitals, and other public facilities to ensure the safety of residents, particularly students and patients.
“Nandito ngayon tayo sa General Santos High School at tinitingnan natin lahat ng naging damage dito sa eskuwelahan para malaman natin. Napuntahan na natin ‘yung ospital,” he told.
The President emphasized that structural evaluation by engineers is crucial in determining whether buildings can still be utilized or need to be demolished and rebuilt entirely.
“Sa ngayon, mayroong obvious na makita na mga sira. Pero kailangan pa rin nating tiyakin na safe. Kaya’t ‘yung mga engineer ay papasok na para i-assess kung ano ba ‘yung parte ng building na puwede pang gamitin, ano ‘yung hindi na talaga puwede, kailangan pabagsakin ‘yung buong building. Mabigyan tayo ng impormasyon tungkol diyan.”
According to the President, government efforts are now focused on rapidly reopening all roads in quake-affected areas in Mindanao.
That is to allow the swift delivery of assistance and the immediate restoration of essential services such as electricity and water supply.
“Now, we are also working very quickly – open lahat nung mga daanan para kahit saan makapasok na ‘yung mga sasakyan natin. Magdala ng tulong, mag-ayos ng mga electricity, ng mga water system, at basta mabilis na ang ating – mabilis na ang pagdala ng serbisyo dito,” said Marcos.
At the same time, he also announced the release of financial assistance from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), including PHP100 million for repairs to the General Santos City Hall.
Moreover, families of fatalities will each receive PHP 50,000 each as immediate assistance.
“Ang DBM (Department of Budget and Management) naman ay magbibigay ng pondo, mula na naman sa LGSF, para sa imprastruktura sa Sarangani Province at saka sa South Cotabato. At mayroon ding damage doon. Pero dito talaga ang pinaka — Sarangani is really the hardest hit,” the Chief Executive added.
As regards to utilities, the President reported that power restoration has reached about 85 percent, while efforts continue to fully restore services in remaining areas affected by inaccessible roads and damaged facilities.
The supply of electricity remains cut off in some areas due to landslides and road damage, preventing engineers and utility crews from reaching affected sites, the government added.
“Hindi nga nila mapasok sa ngayon dahil barado pa ‘yung kalsada. Either nasira ‘yung kalsada o nagka-landslide. Kaya hindi makapasok pa ‘yung ating mga vehicles,” said the President.
Although, relief operations have since reached isolated communities through alternative means such as helicopter deployments by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver food and medicine.
Aside from immediate assistance, Marcos also said that the government will also be providing mental health support to students affected by the earthquake.
The President emphasized the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological impact of the disaster on young learners, noting that many children may silently struggle with the trauma caused by the earthquake.
“Pati ‘yung kausap ko ‘yung mga teacher, at sinabi ko sa kanila, alalahanin nila na traumatizing itong experience para sa mga estudyante, para sa mga bata,” said PBBM.
In response, the Chief Executive said the Department of Health (DOH) already has programs in place to help students cope with the experience and recover emotionally.
“So, bantayan din nila. We have a program sa DOH na tutulong sa mental health ng mga bata na dumaan sa ganitong klaseng experience,” the President said.
President Marcos also urged teachers and school personnel to closely monitor students who may be showing signs of emotional distress, stressing that children do not always openly express their struggles.
Hence, to strengthen support mechanisms in schools, the President said that teachers will undergo specialized training to help them identify and assist students experiencing trauma and stress.
“Iyong mga teacher mismo ang gagawin nila, mayroon silang training after this. Magte-training sila para diyan, precisely para makausap at makapagbigay ng kaunting therapy sa ating mga estudyante,” President Marcos added.
He then reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and recovery of communities affected by the earthquake, particularly children whose education and daily lives have been disrupted by the disaster.
