Over 100 House reps join Dy relief drive for quake-hit Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines — More than 100 members of the House of Representatives have joined a relief drive led by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III for families affected by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
Some lawmakers even pledged their own personal resources to support recovery efforts.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, a House prosecutor in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, said the initiative was launched shortly after the earthquake struck the region.
“Actually, that happened after it happened. The House members got together. We have already begun donation and relief efforts,” Diokno said in a mix of English and Filipino during a press conference on Thursday.
READ: New majority senators visit quake-hit Mindanao
According to Diokno, more than 100 House members had already pledged support to the relief drive, while many lawmakers are extending assistance through their congressional districts and local government partners.
While House prosecutors were briefing the media in Manila, Dy was in General Santos City leading a congressional delegation on an inspection of earthquake-hit areas in General Santos and Sarangani.
The visit brought together local officials, regional agency heads, and lawmakers from the region to assess damage, coordinate assistance, and determine the funding requirements needed to support reconstruction and recovery efforts.
The lawmaker made the remarks in response to claims that preparations for the vice president’s impeachment trial had overshadowed efforts to assist earthquake victims.
Diokno stressed that the House remained committed to both its constitutional duties and humanitarian responsibilities.
“Impeachment is one duty we have under the Constitution. But to help those suffering from the earthquake is a humanitarian duty and our duty as Filipino citizens,” he said.
“While we are in the middle of preparing for this constitutional trial, we are also not forgetting our duties to legislate and, of course, our duties to provide as much assistance and support as we can to those who were affected by the earthquake,” he added.
During the General Santos visit, Dy announced that the House would shoulder the medical expenses of individuals injured by the earthquake regardless of whether they are being treated in public or private hospitals.
READ: Dy vows House medical, reconstruction aid for quake-hit Mindanao
He also said lawmakers were conducting site inspections to determine the extent of damage to public infrastructure and facilities, with the goal of incorporating rehabilitation requirements into the proposed 2027 national budget. /atm
HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.
In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.
Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.
The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.
