President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits Abra on Thursday, July 28, 2022, where many people were injured and properties damaged after a 7.0-magnitude hit the province on Wednesday. Joining Marcos Jr. in Abra are Speaker Martin Romualdez, Social Welfare Sec. Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Imee Marcos, Abra Gov. Dominic Valera, and Interior and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos, Jr. The government officials assure the victims of immediate support and assistance, especially food and water supply. (Photo from the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led a delegation of high-ranking officials who made their way to Abra to assess the damage and assist people affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that rocked Northern Luzon.
Aside from Marcos, among the officials who were with him are House of Representatives Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senator Imee Marcos, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., and Abra Governor Dominic Valera.
After the aerial inspection, Marcos visited Bangued for the situation briefing. Photos sent by Romualdez’s office also showed the Chief Executive addressing the people and checking on injured and confined residents at the Abra Provincial Hospital after the strong earthquake.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits Abra on Thursday, July 28, 2022. The injured residents were at hospital tents in front of the Abra Provincial Hospital in Bangued town. (Photo from the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez)
Relief packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were also given in a ceremony led by Marcos. He tasked national government agency officials to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) to ensure that efforts and resources are maximized.
Extensive damage has been reported in different areas in the highlands of the Cordillera and nearby regions like Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley, after the strong earthquake on Wednesday morning.
As of now, the NDRRMC said five have been reported dead with over 1,200 structures damaged due to the tremors. Several roads were still deemed impassable as aftershocks brought a new wave of rockslides and landslides.