NDRRMC meeting convened on Saturday (November 18, 2023) following the 6.8 earthquake off the waters of Saranggani town in Davao Occidental that rocked several parts of Mindanao. Shown from left to right are OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Vice President Sara Duterte. (Photo from OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE)
MANILA, Philippines — Following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Mindanao, the response cluster of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) conducted a meeting on Saturday.
According to Vice President Sara Duterte, NDRRMC Chairperson and Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro called the meeting.
Duterte also said she led the forum with the different government agencies responding to citizens affected by the earthquake.
“Bilang mga lingkod-bayan, patuloy nating pagtutuunan ng pansin ang pagpapalawak ng ating kakayahan na magbigay ng agarang tulong at rehabilitasyon sa mga apektadong lugar, ‘di lamang ngayon, kundi sa susunod pa na mga disaster,” the Vice President said in a statement.
(As public servants, we will continue to focus on expanding our capability in providing immediate assistance and rehabilitation in affected areas, not only now but also in the next disasters.)
The Vice President said they also talked about the possible effects of two low pressure areas being monitored by state meteorologists.
NDRRMC discussed the preparations of the local government units for heavy rains, landslides, and flooding.
For its part, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported about the incoming transport strike on Monday, Duterte noted.
She said there will be an inter-agency coordination to assist commuters during the strike.
The meeting was held at the Office of Civil Defense in Quezon city.
Based on a post of Office of the Civil Defense – Region 12, some government officials attended the meeting online.
Region 12 or Central Mindanao (Soccsksargen) has been heavily damaged by the earthquake.