BBM visits quake-hit Cebu, provides aid

President Marcos will ask lawmakers for emergency funds to help the communities affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that devastated Cebu.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

Marcos yesterday visited the quakehit areas to inspect damaged structures, oversee relief operations and provide aid to survivors.

He arrived in Bogo City near the epicenter of the Sept. 30 earthquake, conducted site visits, talked to some of the affected residents and attended a situation briefing by disaster management officials.

"I will be going to the Congress, the House and the Senate, so they can provide emergency funds," the President said during a situation briefing at the Bogo City Hall.

"The QRF of some agencies is about to be depleted. So we will release the... quick response fund we are using (so we can respond) immediately," he added.

Marcos noted that the country was hit by two successive strong cyclones Nando and Opong before it was struck by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

He assured local governments that his administration would have the QRF released as quickly as possible.

The Office of the President donated about P200 million to affected local governments and hospitals to support their relief and medical efforts.

Cebu City received P50 million financial aid, while Bogo City, San Remigio and Sogod got P20 million each.

The towns of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon and Tabuelan were given P10 million each.

All hospitals under the health department will receive P20 million while provincial hospitals will be provided with P5 million each.