Members of the Senate majority may proceed to areas affected by Monday morning’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said he had spoken with Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian regarding a possible visit following initial reports of damage in parts of Mindanao.
“Naka-usap ko po ang ating Acting Senate President na anytime po ay pupunta po ang mga miyembro ng majority bloc para marinig at makita po ang pangangailangan ng mga biktima ng lindol (I have spoken with our Acting Senate President and members of the majority bloc may proceed there anytime to hear and see the needs of the earthquake victims),” Tulfo said in an interview as he suspended the Blue Ribbon Committee’s organizational meeting in deference to those affected by the earthquake.
“We suspend this meeting bilang paggalang po sa mga biktima po ng matinding lindol ngayon diyan sa Mindanao (out of respect for the victims of the strong earthquake there in Mindanao),” he said.
Gatchalian said the government’s immediate priority should be saving lives, especially amid initial reports of damaged structures, disrupted utility services and a tsunami warning.
“The situation calls for all-hands-on-deck response,” he said, as he urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and concerned local government units to immediately conduct search, rescue and relief operations.
He also urged the Department of Education to prioritize the safety of teachers and learners as classes opened.
Gatchalian said school buildings must be immediately assessed for structural integrity, while psychosocial support and localized measures should be provided to ensure learning continuity.
“Our priority must be to save lives and ensure that affected communities have immediate access to safe shelter, food and medical care,” he said.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, in a social media post, also called for prayers and national unity in helping affected communities.
“To our brothers and sisters in Mindanao affected by the earthquake, we are praying for you. Know that we are here for you,” Cayetano said.
Senator JV Ejercito said the earthquake weighed heavily on senators even while the Blue Ribbon meeting was ongoing, prompting them to cut short the proceedings and monitor how they could help.
“Napakalakas na lindol noh. Kahit na naghe-hearing kami kanina, hindi namin maano sa isip namin kaya nga pinutol na [ang Blue Ribbon hearing] para matingnan din kung paano tayo makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan dun (It was a very strong earthquake. Even while we were in the hearing earlier, we could not keep it off our minds, so we cut short the Blue Ribbon hearing to see how we could help our countrymen there),” Ejercito said.
Senator Lito Lapid expressed sympathy for residents affected by the earthquake in South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao Region.
“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 us pray for our countrymen affected by the disaster that struck South Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City. I pray for the safety of our people),” Lapid said in a statement. (PNA)