Palace says funds enough for Mindanao quake rescue, aid

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang assured the public that government funds remain sufficient for rescue operations and assistance to victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on Monday, June 8.

"The government funds for now are enough for rescue operations and to ease the impact of the disaster that happened today," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino at a press briefing.

Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had launched a "whole-of-government approach" in responding to the quake, which caused severe damage to several establishments and infrastructure in different cities and provinces.

Government response

Marcos has coordinated with agencies involved in disaster response, including the Office of Civil Defense, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education, Castro said.

The Department of Health said Cabinet secretaries were directed by Marcos to personally go to General Santos City to monitor and assess the situation landed in Davao at around 3 p.m. Monday.

Marcos earlier suspended classes in affected areas and appealed to residents near coastal communities to follow evacuation orders after Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning.

"To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait," Marcos said.

Marcos said he was in constant coordination with regional offices and local chief executives on the ground.

"The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind," Marcos said.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, 15 have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of the powerful quake off Sarangani province.