President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the rebuilding of homes in earthquake-hit Sarangani province cannot start immediately as the area continues to experience aftershocks.

Marcos flew into General Santos City to oversee the disaster response of various government agencies.

"The rebuilding efforts can't be started yet because there are still aftershocks. The problem with earthquakes is there's no forecast. We don't know what will happen," the President said.

He, however, assured the earthquake victims they would receive other necessary assistance from the government.

"But we have all the assistance, the needs of those affected, those who lost their homes, the fishermen, the injured, the (Department of Social Welfare and Development) will continue to provide assistance to all of them," he said.

"Until it's finished, we will assess… so we will have to prioritize that in the recovery," he added.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Sarangani last Friday.

With the President in General Santos were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and several other Cabinet members. The mayors of the towns of Glan and Malapatan briefed them.

Marcos and Gatchalian led the assistance distribution to families and individuals affected by the earthquake, including 2,000 tricycle drivers from General Santos, who each received P2,000.

Meanwhile, 206 families from Malapatan, Glan and General Santos also received cash — P10,000 each for those whose houses were totally damaged and P5,000 each for those with partially damaged homes. They also received family food packs and kitchen kits.

Hours earlier, Marcos sat in a briefing with government officials on the situation of flood victims in Eastern and Northern Samar.