Marcos orders immediate relief for quake victims

HEALTH, RELIEF OPERATIONS The Department of Health (DOH) quickly assessed its personnel closest to the epicenter.

- 

Staff from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) were accounted for and had started deploying medical teams to Bogo City and nearby areas.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, mobilized its Quick Response Teams and prepositioned family food packs (FFPs). The Visayas Disaster Response Center in Mandaue City continues to produce FFPs daily to replenish stockpiles.

"The Department has enough stockpiles of food and nonfood relief supplies as well as standby funds to augment the resources of the affected LGUs. Our Quick Response Teams are already activated, and they are already on the ground to support the needs of the affected families," Gatchalian assured.

DSWD vehicles, complete with a mobile kitchen, command center, water tankers, and filtration systems have been dispatched to northern Cebu.

The Philippine Coast Guard also loaded 1,000 Ready-to-Eat Food packs onto MV Sindangan bound for Bogo City.

CHURCH RESPONSE

Cebu Archbishop Alberto "Abet" Uy called on the faithful to offer both prayers and concrete acts of solidarity. Visiting the quake-damaged shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Uy expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the area but urged compassion for communities that suffered fatalities.

"As your bishop, I appeal to everyone to work together for the safety and well-being of the earthquake survivors," Uy said in a message posted on his Facebook page.