Infra assessment on quake-hit areas needed, says DILG

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has directed the Bureau of Fire Protection to continue its assessment on infrastructures in various areas of Mindanao that were recently hit by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said that the results of the said assessment would then be used as basis for possible intervention and assistance that will be provided to the affected communities and their residents.

"The safety of our citizens is our top priority here," Abalos said.

The DILG chief recently joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other members of the Cabinet in visiting General Santos City to monitor the current situation and discuss the needs of affected local government units following the earthquake last 17 November.

The President and Abalos arrived in General Santos City along with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan to meet with local officials of General Santos City and Sarangani Province.

Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao and General Santos City Mayor Lorelei Pacquiao updated Marcos and the other top officials on the damage caused by the earthquake in Sarangani, especially in the municipalities of Glan and Malapatan.

For his part, Abalos said that based on the latest situation report of the BFP, there was one structure that collapsed while 22 were damaged in Region 11.

The same report indicated that there were five structures that collapsed while 253 were damaged in Region 12.

A total of 140 BFP personnel, 27 firetrucks, and one ambulance were dispatched to assist and conduct search and rescue operations.

Abalos said that the fire bureau's assets, consisting of 306 fire trucks, 9 collapsed search and rescue trucks, and 25 ambulances, and 2,029 personnel in Region 11, 12 and BARMM are ready to respond to any incident following the earthquake.