Palace: Gov’t on top of situation after Eastern Samar quake

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang assured Filipinos on Tuesday that the government was “on top of the situation” following the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that hit Eastern Samar.

READ: Magnitude 6.5 earthquake rattles Eastern Samar

“We assure our people that the government is on top of the situation and we are ready to respond anywhere and anytime in light of another strong earthquake that hit Eastern Samar this afternoon,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The earthquake came a day after a powerful quake also rocked parts of Luzon that killed at least 16 and injured hundreds of people.

READ: Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes parts of Luzon

Panelo said “concerned disaster agencies of the government, including those involved in the provision of basic and health services, are now working round the clock to ensure government service delivery remains unhampered.”

“We call on all local government executives to be on standby. Let us set aside politics for the time being and let the true spirit of unity, cooperation, and humanitarianism prevail,” he said. /ee