Palace: Gov’t funds sufficient for Mindanao earthquake response

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday assured the public that the government has sufficient funds for response efforts to victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated Maasin, Sarangani.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered government agencies to immediately mobilize and deliver all necessary assistance to affected communities.

READ: Marcos orders swift response after magnitude 7.8 Sarangani earthquake

“The funds available at the moment are still sufficient to carry out rescue and recovery operations in order to lessen the impact of the disaster that occurred,” said Palace press officer Claire Castro at a briefing.

In a separate statement, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) also said that the Quick Response Funds (QRFs) of all QRF-assisted agencies remain available and may be utilized immediately to support ongoing disaster response and relief operations.

The agency added that it is closely coordinating with the concerned agencies and stands ready to process any request for QRF replenishment.

“For the Sarangani earthquake response, existing QRF resources remain available for immediate deployment by the concerned agencies, while the DBM remains prepared to provide the necessary budgetary support as requirements arise,” the DBM said.

READ: 2 dead in South Cotabato after magnitude 7.8 Mindanao quake

According to the South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, two deaths were recorded in Barangay Kablon, Tupi town, following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit at 7:37 a.m.

However, the Office of Civil Defense is still verifying casualty reports and has yet to provide an update. /das