Palace ‘sure’ Duterte will visit Batanes after twin quakes
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — I am sure he will visit.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said this on Saturday when asked if President Rodrigo Duterte will be visiting Batanes following the series of earthquakes that hit the province, affecting in particular the town of Itbayat.
Medialdea said medical and rescue assistance had also been sent to Batanes to help the local government there.
Relief items were likewise transported to Batanes.
“Our PAF [Philippine Air Force] C295 already took off for Batanes at 9:18 a.m. bringing medical and rescue teams. We are planning for next sortie in coordination with Region 2 OCD (Office of Civil Defense),” Medialdea said in a text message.
The executive secretary added that the transport plane will also pick up Governor Marilou Cayco in Basco who will also pay a visit to the town of Itbayat, which was the hardest-hit town by the series of earthquakes.
“Various agencies already acted right after the earthquake,” Medialdea said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, meanwhile, assured that the Office of the President is closely monitoring the situation in Batanes, adding that Duterte had already been briefed about the situation.
“The President has been briefed on the situation and he directed all agencies to respond and undertake measures to provide assistance to the victims of this force majeure and rehabilitate the damaged properties in the areas,” Panelo said in a statement.
“With risk reduction measures at place, the government has prepared itself to react quickly to disaster occurrences like earthquakes while we commit our best to saving maximum lives and properties during such situations and bringing normalcy back in the soonest possible time,” he added.
Further, Panelo said the national government is in continuous coordination with the local government units, including the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Batanes, as relief operations continue.
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit the town at 4:16 a.m. and was followed by a stronger magnitude of 5.9 at 7:37 a.m.
Eight fatalities and at least 60 people sustaining injuries have been reported as of posting time. /jpv
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