Marcos pledges around ₱200-M aid in visit to quake-hit Cebu

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged ₱200 million in financial assistance to northern Cebu devastated by a powerful earthquake during his visit to inspect damage and direct relief efforts.

The president visited Bogo City, ground zero of the Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 quake, to check on collapsed housing, schools, churches, and hospitals, and to meet with displaced families.The president announced that his office will provide ₱50 million to the provincial government, ₱20 million to Bogo City, and ₱10 million each to a number of municipalities, namely, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Sogod, Tobogon, and Tabuelan.“Alam ko at this point lahat ng pondo ng local government ubos na o mauubos na dahil yung gagamitin niyo sa ibang bagay,” Marcos said. [Translation: I know at this point that all the funds of the local government are gone or will soon run out, since these were intended for other purposes.] Marcos also announced additional aid to local and Department of Health-operated hospitals: ₱5 million each for hospitals under local government units affected by the earthquake and ₱20 million for a Department of Health (DOH)-owned hospital in the provinceThe president said restoring infrastructure would be a challenge.“Pinakamahirap i-repair ang infrastructure. Yung city hall hindi na magagamit ito, balik muna kayo sa luma,” Marcos said, referring to the municipal office. [Translation: Infrastructure is the most difficult to repair. This city hall cannot be used anymore; you will have to return to the old one for now.]“That’s the problem we are having when we have an earthquake — it’s really the infrastructure that will take time to be rehabilitated,” he added.Marcos also inspected the collapsed housing units at SM Cares Village in Barangay Polambato, the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Vicente Ferrer in Barangay Bungtod, the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy in Barangay Cogon, and the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Barangay Taytayan, where makeshift wards were set up to treat an influx of patients.Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa were with the president, who instructed them to fast-track relief distribution and rehabilitation.