The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the flood control anomalies following the powerful magnitude 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao, early morning of Monday, June 8.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, in his opening statement, also called for a minute of silent prayer for the people of Mindanao who were greatly affected by the quake.

“We sympathize with the victims of the earthquake in Mindanao, that’s why we will cut short, we will suspend this meeting out of respect for the victims of this severe earthquake in Mindanao,” Tulfo said in his closing remarks.

Tulfo, who heads the Senate blue ribbon panel, also said members of the new majority bloc, led by Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, are all set to go to Mindanao to help in the disaster relief efforts. 

Gatchalian, in a statement, said priority should be given to the situation in Mindanao in order to save lives.

“The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani Province is deeply concerning, particularly given initial reports of damaged structures, a tsunami warning, and disrupted utility services across Mindanao,” Gatchalian said. 

Gatchalian said the situation calls for an all-hands-on-deck response, as he urge the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units (LGUs), and other concerned agencies to immediately deploy search, rescue, and relief operations.

“Many schools in the province are also affected, with classes having just opened today. I also urge the DepEd to prioritize the safety of teachers and learners. Immediate steps must include assessing the structural integrity of school buildings, providing psychosocial support, and implementing appropriate localized measures to ensure learning continuity,” Gatchalian said.

“Our priority must be to save lives and ensure that affected communities have immediate access to safe shelter, food, and medical care,” he stressed.

Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid also commiserated with the families and victims of the Mindanao earthquake.

At the same time, Lapid called for prayers for the people of Mindanao affected by the quake.

“Manalangin po tayo para sa ating mga kababayang nasalanta sa delubyong tumama sa South Cotabato, Saranggani at General Santos City. Hangad ko po ang kaligtasan ng mga kababayan natin (Let’s pray for our fellowmen who were affected in the quake that hit South Cotabato, Saranggani and General Santos City. I pray for their safety),”said Lapid.

Also affected in the quake were the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao Region.

Sen. Robinhood Padilla echoed the same call emphasizing that safety and preservation of life must be the foremost priority as government agencies, LGUs, and humanitarian organizations respond to the emergency.

In particular, Padilla called on residents of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi to remain vigilant and comply with all evacuation directives issued by local authorities and disaster response agencies.

He also expressed support for the ongoing response operations of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), NDRRMC, the Philippine Red Cross, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local disaster response units currently conducting assessments, evacuations and relief operations.

“As a nation, we have always shown resilience in the face of calamities. Ngunit ang katatagan ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa ating kakayahang bumangon pagkatapos ng sakuna. Nasusukat din ito sa ating kahandaang makinig, magtulungan, at protektahan ang isa’t isa habang dumarating ang panganib (But resilience is not only measured by our ability to bounce back after a disaster. It is also measured by our willingness to listen, cooperate, and protect each other when danger strikes),” Padilla said.