General santos city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday personally inspected several public facilities in General Santos City where he directed concerned government agencies to prioritize structural assessments of health facilities damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao earlier this week. Marcos visited St. Elizabeth Hospital to assess the extent of the damage and determine the immediate needs of patients and healthcare workers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos stressed the need to prioritize the evaluation of affected medical facilities while rehabilitation and relief operations continue in quake-hit communities. The President ordered concerned agencies to expedite structural integrity assessments of hospitals and other health facilities to ensure public safety and facilitate the safe return of patients.

The death toll from the powerful tremor that struck off Sarangani on Monday has reportedly climbed to 45. Aside from inspecting the hospital, Marcos also visited the ongoing distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) at the General Santos City Oval Plaza.

He likewise visited the Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School and General Santos National High School to assess the impact of the earthquake on educational facilities. The inspections were undertaken as government agencies continue damage assessments and recovery efforts in affected areas.

Earlier, the President directed the Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other agencies to ensure that critical facilities, particularly hospitals and schools, remain safe and operational amid continuing aftershocks. The government has mobilized relief assistance, medical support, and infrastructure assessment teams as part of efforts to help affected communities recover from the disaster.