President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said government efforts are now focused on rapidly reopening all roads in quake-affected areas in Mindanao 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,” the President said.

During his visit to General Santos High School, the President said that authorities are 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,” the President said.

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,” said the President.

At the same time, the Chief Executive announced the release of financial assistance from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), including P100 million for repairs to the General Santos City Hall.

“Nabigyan ko si Mayor ng 100 milyong piso from the LGSF para maayos ‘yung kanilang city hall, ‘yung sa General Santos City Hall,” the President noted.

Marcos likewise announced that families of fatalities will receive PHP 50,000 each as immediate assistance.

“At lahat ng pamilya na mayroon silang casualty, nabiktima, nasawi ay magbibigay tayo ng tigfi-50,000 (pesos) para sa kanila, para tulong doon sa kanila,” the President added.

“Ang DBM 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 President added.

On 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. Electricity supply remains cut off in some areas due to landslides and road damage, preventing engineers and utility crews from reaching affected sites.

“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.

Marcos said relief operations have reached isolated communities through alternative means, including helicopter deployments by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver food and medicine. Presidential News Desk