Mindanao: General Santos City General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao on Tuesday lauded the swift and coordinated response of national and local government agencies, as well as frontline responders, following Monday's magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
According to Philippines News Agency, Pacquiao cited the rapid deployment of emergency response teams, noting that the prompt actions of various government agencies were crucial to ensuring public safety, facilitating evacuations, and addressing the immediate needs of affected communities. At least 30 of the 37 reported fatalities from the powerful earthquake were recorded in General Santos City, making it the hardest-hit area in terms of casualties.
The mayor also commended disaster response personnel, healthcare workers, law enforcement units, military forces, and local emergency responders who have been working tirelessly since the quake struck. "The immediate and coordinated response of our government agencies and frontliners has greatly helped ensure the safety and well-being of our people during this challenging time," Pacquiao said during an interview with a local radio station.
She cited visits by key Cabinet officials as proof of the national government's commitment to assist affected residents, including Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Health Secretary Ted Herbosa. Pacquiao underscored the importance of continued collaboration between local and national authorities as recovery and assessment operations continue, stressing the need to ensure that assistance reaches affected families promptly and efficiently.
The mayor also visited injured quake victims in various hospitals across the city. "I told them not to worry about their hospital bills because the city government will shoulder the expenses," she said. Authorities in General Santos City remain on heightened alert as damage assessment, relief distribution, and rehabilitation efforts continue in communities affected by the earthquake.
