Marcos orders swift government response after strong Mindanao quake, urges public to heed tsunami warning
At A Glance
- President Marcos ordered government agencies to promptly act following the strong earthquake in Mindanao on June 8.
- He called on affected residents to move to higher groundimmediately.
- He also ordered the suspension of classes in affected areas until further notice.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores)
President Marcos has ordered government agencies to act immediately following the strong earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani on Monday, June 8.
"A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of Sarangani this morning, and a tsunami warning is now in effect across several coastal provinces in Mindanao," Marcos said in a statement.
"I have directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately," he said.
The President also called on affected residents to move to higher ground immediately.
"To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind," he told them.
Marcos likewise ordered the suspension of classes in all levels across affected areas until further notice, stressing that students' safety must come first.
"I am also ordering the suspension of classes in all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice," he said.
"The safety of our children comes first. DepEd (Department of Education) will coordinate with local government units on this," he added.
According to the Chief Executive, the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are now coordinating disaster response and monitoring all affected areas.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been directed to pre-position relief goods and ensure that evacuation centers are ready and operational.
Marcos added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is on standby to assess damage to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations.
"The national government is moving, and we will not leave Mindanao behind. I am in constant communication with our regional offices and local chief executives on the ground," he said.
"Updates will be provided as the situation develops," he added.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue a tsunami warning for several coastal provinces in Mindanao.